Ovopel Treatment Research Articles

The Effect of [(D-Ala6, Pro9NEt)mGnRH-a + Metoclopramide] (Ovopel) on Propagation Effectiveness of Two Breeding Lines of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and on Luteinizing Hormone and 17α,20β-Dihydroxyprogesterone Levels in Females during Ovulation Induction.

The study evaluates the impact of Ovopel on the reproductive effectiveness of carp from Polish line 6 and Lithuanian line B and the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and 17α,20β-dihydroxyprogesterone (17α,20β-DHP) in females from these lines during ovulation induction. The levels of both hormones were determined in blood plasma samples taken just before the priming injection of Ovopel (0 h), at the time of administering the resolving dose of Ovopel (12 h), and after the next 12 h (24 h). Following Ovopel treatment, the mean egg weight obtained for line 6 was higher, but not statistically different, than that observed for line B. Egg quality, on the other hand, was significantly higher in line B. Female provenance did not significantly affect the number of eggs and living embryos after 70 h incubation. However, the total egg number for line 6 was higher. The mean number of living embryos (70 h) was similar for both lines. LH concentrations at 0, 12, and 24 h were not statistically different between the lines. A comparison of LH concentrations between ovulated and non-ovulated females at different sampling times revealed no significant differences either within or between the lines. Statistically significant differences in LH levels were found for both ovulated and non-ovulated females from a given line between the sampling times. The results for 17α,20β-DHP were similar, with only one difference: 24 h after the priming dose of Ovopel, 17α,20β-DHP levels in ovulated fish were significantly higher compared with non-ovulated females, but only in line 6.

2D-DIGE proteomic analysis of blood plasma reveals changes in immune- and stress-associated proteins following hormonal stimulation of carp males

In carp aquaculture, hormonal manipulation with an analog of GnRH (Ovopel) and carp pituitary extract (CPE), which act at different levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, is a routine practice to enhance sperm production. Our recent studies revealed that hormonal stimulation of male carp was associated with changes in the seminal plasma proteome, including blood origin proteins. Here, we explored whether Ovopel and CPE could affect the blood proteome of male carp. Both preparations induced increases in semen volume, total number of sperm, and testosterone level. However, hormonal stimulation did not affect the plasma cortisol and glucose levels. A comparative proteomic analysis of carp blood plasma between the control (PBS) and the hormonally treated males revealed significant changes (>1.2 <−1.2-fold change, P < 0.05) in the abundance of 30 spots (14 up- and 16 downregulated) and 44 spots (28 up- and 16 downregulated) upon CPE and Ovopel treatment, respectively. The most significantly affected pathways were acute phase response signaling, the coagulation system, LXR/RXR and FXR/RXR activation; however, there were different sets of proteins in Ovopel- and CPE-treated males. The majority of differentially abundant proteins were involved in the regulation of the immune defense response, the response to stress, and complement activation. Moreover hormonal stimulation with CPE markedly increased the bactericidal activity of blood and both preparations caused profound changes in gene expression in hematopoietic organs. This work is important in understanding the biological processes behind the protein-based response to hormonal stimulation of sperm production in fish.

Ovopel and carp pituitary extract for the reproductive induction of Colossoma macropomum males

The objective of this study was to evaluate Ovopel and carp pituitary extract (CPE) in the reproductive induction of Colossoma macropomum males. Nine treatments were tested in triplicate, totaling 27 experimental units. C. macropomum breeders were subjected to the following treatments: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7 Ovopel pellet/kg; 2.5 mg CPE/kg (traditional protocol); and a control treatment (no hormone). Breeders under hormone treatment produced a larger (P < 0.05) semen volume (2.4 ± 0.7 to 4.2 ± 0.3 mL) compared with the control (0.9 ± 0.4 mL). Sperm concentration did not differ significantly among treatments (7.2 × 109 ± 1.7 to 10.8 × 109 ± 2.6 spermatozoa/mL). Total sperm count was higher (P < 0.05) after treatment with 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6 Ovopel pellet/kg (41.6 ± 9.3 to 42.3 ± 10.5 × 109 spermatozoa) than the other Ovopel treatments (20.0 ± 2.4 to 26.9 ± 8.2 × 109 spermatozoa) and control (6.6 ± 1.1 × 109 spermatozoa), but did not differ significantly from CPE (33.7 ± 3.2 × 109 spermatozoa). Sperm motility was higher (P < 0.05) in the CPE treated, and 0.2, 0.3, and 0.7 Ovopel pellet/kg (88.3 ± 2.9 to 90.0 ± 5.0) breeders when compared with the other treatments (70.0 ± 10.0 to 78.3 ± 5.8), except for the 0.4 pellet/kg (81.7 ± 2.9) treatment, which did not differ significantly from any of the treatments. The motility period of the spermatozoa did not differ significantly among treatments (93.5 ± 15.7 to 120.0 ± 7.6 s). For the sperm morphological analysis, occurrence of normal spermatozoa was similar across the treatments, with three sperm abnormalities (short tail, bent tail, and detached head) differing (P < 0.05) among the treatments. Ovopel efficiently induced reproduction of C. macropomum breeders, with treatment using 0.3 and 0.4 Ovopel pellet/kg and CPE providing the best semen characteristics.

Differences in the effectiveness of reproduction among ten breeding strains of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. after stimulation of ovulation with carp pituitary homogenate or [(D‐Ala 6 , Pro 9 NE t) mGnRH‐a + metoclopramide] (Ovopel)

This study focused on the reproduction effectiveness of 10 breeding strains of common carp (Polish strains 2, 3, 6; Hungarian strains 0, W, 7; Lithuanian strain B; French strain F; Israeli strain D and Yugoslavian strain J) after stimulation of ovulation with carp pituitary homogenate or Ovopel. The percentage of females with recorded ovulation became higher after Ovopel treatment in as many as eight breeding strains (2, 3, 6, 0, W, B, F, D). The interaction between the spawning agent and the breeding strain was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the mass of spawn and non-significant for traits determining the quality of eggs. Among the 10 breeding strains, in 4 (3, 7, B, J) the least-squares means (LSM) for the weight of egg (g) were higher for fish stimulated with Ovopel. Among the strains tested, in seven (3, W, F, J, 2, 7, B), the LSM for the percentage of living embryos after 36 h incubation were higher for fish treated with Ovopel. The evaluation of reproduction effects based on the values of such parameters as the percentage of ovulating females, weight of eggs (g) and the percentage of live embryos (36 h) showed that after Ovopel treatment the poorer effects were obtained only for strains 6, 0 and D.

The influence of female body weight class on the effectiveness of controlled reproduction of carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758

The effects of Ovopel treatment and hypophysation on five different size classes (age = 4–16 years) of female carp, Cyprinus carpio L., from 10 breeding lines were assessed (class I: >3≤5 kg; class II: >5≤7 kg; class III: >7≤9 kg; class IV: >9≤11 kg; class V: >11 kg). Ovulation stimulation was done with carp pituitary homogenate i.e. CPH (0.3+2.7 mg kg−1 BW) or [(D-Ala6, Pro9-NEt)-mGnRH+metoclopramide] i.e. Ovopel (1/5+1 pellet kg−1 BW). Analysis of variance included the results obtained in controlled spawnings carried out during 15 breeding seasons. The classification according to the body weight classes significantly (P ≤ 0.01) differentiated the weight of eggs (g) obtained both from CPH and Ovopel treated fish, the percentage of viable embryos (36 h) after CPH (P ≤ 0.05), number of eggs after CPH and Ovopel treatment (P ≤ 0.01) and number of living embryos (36 h) calculated per kg−1 CPH treated fish. The lowest weight of eggs was obtained after both the CPH and Ovopel application in class I and the highest in class V. The highest mean for the total number of eggs from CPH treated fish was noted for size classes IV and V and the lowest for class I. From Ovopel treated females the highest mean was noted in classes V and IV and the lowest in class I. The highest mean for the number of live embryos (36 h) calculated per kilogram CPH and Ovopel treated fish was recorded in female weight classes I and II. The lowest mean for this trait was found for size class V after both CPH and Ovopel treatment. The group of hypophysed females provided the best results of reproduction when the body weight was over 7 kg but not exceeding 9 kg (class III). Females treated with Ovopel reached such results when body weight was higher than 9 kg but did not exceed 11 kg (class IV). After both CPH and Ovopel treatment the poorest results were noted in females exceeding 11 kg body weight (class V). The predicted regressions for the number of viable embryos (36 h incubation) obtained per 1 kg female BW allows to determine in which weight class which stimulator offered the best predictability for this trait.

The influence of the length of time after hormonal treatment with [(d-Ala6, Pro9 NEt)-mGnRH+metoclopramide] i.e. Ovopel on barbel Barbus barbus (L.) milt quality and quantity indicators

Summary The study purpose was the analysis of barbel Barbus barbus (L.) milt quality and quantity with regard to the time following stimulation with [(D-Ala6, Pro9NEt)-mGnRH+metoclopramide] i.e. Ovopel. Selected parameters such as total volume of milt (TVM, ml), volume of milt per kg of body weight (VOM, ml kg−1 b.w.), sperm concentration (×109 ml−1), total sperm production (TSP, ×109), osmolality (mOsm kg−1) and pH of seminal plasma were determined. Sperm motility was analyzed by the CASA system, i.e. the percentage of sperm motility (MOT, %) and their progressive motility (PRG, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm s−1) and straight line velocity (VSL, μm s−1), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, μm), and beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz). Milt was collected from 12 specimens (N = 12), with the first portion obtained 12 h following treatment with Ovopel (1 granule kg−1 b. w.). Subsequent portions of milt were taken at 24 h intervals, i.e. after 36, 60, 84, 108, and 132 h. The control group (Control, N = 12) was injected with 0.9% NaCl at 0.5 ml kg−1b.w. from which milt was taken 12 h post injection. The highest TVM, VOM and TSP values were recorded 12 h after Ovopel treatment (3.2 ± 0.7 ml, 36.7 ± 10.5 ml kg−1 b.w. and 39.1 ± 9.4 × 109, respectively); lowest values were recorded after 132 h (0.8 ± 0.4 ml, 11.1 ± 6.5 ml kg−1b.w. and 13.7 ± 7.5 × 109, respectively). The highest seminal plasma osmolality values (300.0 ± 42.6 mOsm kg−1) as well as the lowest sperm concentration (12.5 ± 1.5 × 109 ml−1) were observed 12 h after Ovopel treatment. No significant differences in the percentage of sperm motility (MOT) were noted during any of the periods after hormonal stimulation, however, a change in the character of their movement (PRG) was observed. The lack of significant differences (P > 0.05) in VCL and VSL values between 12 h and 60–132 h indicates that the lengthening of time does not lead to a decrease in sperm velocity and, therefore, is not likely to have a negative impact on their quality. The highest ALH (1.9 ± 0.2 μm) and BCF (11.5 ± 1.1 Hz) values were observed when the effect of stimulation was most noticeable, i.e. 12 h after Ovopel treatment. Based on the total milt volume and sperm production, the best time for milt collection from barbel is 12 h post-hormonal treatment; 84 h post-hormonal treatment, TVM, VOM, TSP and some CASA parameters decreased, which suggest the same aging process in sperm.

PERFORMANCES DE REPRODUCTION CHEZ 15 COUPLES PARENTAUX DE CYPRINUS CARPIO TRAITÉS AVEC DE L’EXTRAIT HYPOPHYSAIRE ET OVOPEL

The study presents some comparative results regarding the reproduction performances of 15 Cyprinus carpio families, originating from Lausitz and Galitian variety. The hormonal treatment was applied after a schedule, which indicates the administration of 4 mg product/kg body weight. The results shown the fact that Ovopel treatment has shorten the females eggs maturation time with 6 hours in comparison with the classic treatment, with hypophysis extract. The maturation time average of the 8 females eggs treated with hypophysis extract was of 12 hours and of those treated with Ovopel was of 6 hours (after the second inoculation, made 12 hours from the first one).

The effects of commercial preparations containing two different GnRH analogues and dopamine antagonists on spermiation and sperm characteristics in the European smelt Osmerus eperlanus (L.)

Efficiency of Ovopel (mGnRHa + metaclopramide) and Ovaprim (sGnRHa + domperidone) treatment on the quantity and quality of European smelt milt were tested. Either preparation resulted in stimulation of smelt sperm production (100% spermiating males vs. 68% in control). At the dosage tested, Ovaprim treatment increased the volume of milt and total sperm production, whereas Ovopel treatment produced sperm with a higher percentage of motility. Among computer-assisted sperm motility analysis (CASA) parameters only amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) significantly differed from control in both hormonal treated groups. For most parameters no significant differences between control and stimulated males were found. Our data suggested that administration of two different GnRHa combined with two different dopamine antagonists would help in the future work for improving procedures of artificial reproduction and conservation of European smelt.

Artificial spawning of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.): differences between females of Polish strain 6 and Hungarian strain W treated with carp pituitary homogenate, Ovopel or Dagin

Investigations of the effects of controlled reproduction were conducted on carp females of Polish strain 6 and Hungarian strain W after ovulation stimulation with carp pituitary homogenate (CPH) (0.3 mg+2.7 mg kg(-1) body weight), Ovopel (1/5+1 pellet kg(-1) body weight) or Dagin (1 dose kg(-1) body weight). In both strains, the highest percentage of spawning females was found after the Ovopel treatment. After treatments with CPH and Dagin this percentage did not differ in strain 6; however, after Dagin, it was higher in fish of strain W. After CPH or Ovopel stimulation the females of line 6 yielded eggs of higher weight compared with line W. After the Dagin treatment the weight of eggs obtained from females, both strains was similar but much lower than after the two remaining agents. The quality of eggs expressed both by the percentage of fertilization and that of living embryos after 24 and 36 h incubation was similar in the two strains only in the group treated with Ovopel. After CPH application eggs of better quality were obtained from strain 6 compared with strain W; however, after the treatment with Ovopel, eggs of much better quality were noted in strain W. In general, the best effects of reproduction were recorded in the case of Ovopel and the poorest in that of Dagin. Females of strain 6 yielded eggs of a higher weight but the percentages of spawning females were higher in strain W after each of the applied spawning agents. A new approach to this problem consisted in investigating the interaction between ovulation stimulators and origin of females of fish treated with Dagin.

Evaluation of the potency of azagly-nafarelin (GnRH analogue), administered in combination with different formulations of pimozide, on LH secretion, ovulation and egg quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) under laboratory, commercial hatchery and natural conditions

The study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of the GnRH analogue, azagly-nafarelin (AZAGLY), in combination with pimozide (dopamine receptor antagonist), on LH secretion, ovulation and egg quality of common carp. Experiments were performed in laboratory, commercial hatchery and natural conditions during 3 consecutive years (1998–2000). AZAGLY action was compared with GnRH agonists already used in aquaculture practice: d-Arg6 Des-Gly10 salmon GnRH analogue (sGnRHa) and d-Ala6 Des-Gly10 LHRH analogue, a component of a commercially available product, Ovopel. In addition, the potency of pimozide, administered to fish using different formulations (suspensions or solutions), to potentiate the action of AZAGLY or sGnRHa was tested. It was shown that combined treatment of AZAGLY+pimozide (in dissolved form) is highly efficient in stimulating LH secretion and ovulation in common carp. The number of ovulated females as well as egg quality is not different and in some cases even better than after Ovopel treatment. The best results were obtained when the total dose of AZAGLY (20 μg kg−1 b.w.) and pimozide (5 mg kg−1 b.w.) was administered in two portions (10+90%) at 6- or 12-h intervals. Additional experiments performed in 1998 showed that the relatively low potency of AZAGLY and sGnRHa treatment in 1998 experiments was caused by the insufficient inhibition of dopamine action by pimozide administered intraperitoneally in a form of suspension. Significantly higher LH concentrations were obtained if pimozide was given in a dissolved form. Combined treatment of AZAGLY+pimozide was also shown to be very effective in stimulating the natural spawning of common carp under an unfavourable thermal regime.

Induced spermiation in 3-year-old sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus L.

Spermiation in 3-year-old sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus (L.), males maintained under warm water conditions was induced by intramuscular injection of either (i) (D-Ala6)-GnRH-ProNHEt (Kobarelin); (ii) mammalian GnRH analogue+metoclopramide (Ovopel); or (iii) human chorionic gonadotropin (Biogonadyl). The volume of milt, sperm concentration and motility were measured. A higher percentage of spermiating males was obtained after Kobarelin or Ovopel treatment (81.8% and 77.7% respectively) in comparison with fish treated with Biogonadyl (40.0%). However, only stimulation with Ovopel guaranteed motile spermatozoa in all spermiating males. Moreover, treatment with Ovopel resulted in the highest average milt volume, sperm concentration and motility. The average total number of motile spermatozoa (milt volume×sperm concentration×sperm motility) per individual was 0.99×109, 5.31×109 and 0.02×109 after stimulation with Kobarelin, Ovopel or Biogonadyl respectively. Our data indicate that Ovopel is a good stimulator of spermation in sturgeons. Moreover, the time of sexual maturation could be significantly reduced in sturgeons maintained in cages under warm water conditions.

Artificial spawning of carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.)

The effect of reproduction was investigated on females of Hungarian strain W, French strain F, and their cross-breed 1X whose ovulation was stimulated with carp pituitary (0.3 mg kg−1and, after 12 h, 2.7 mg kg−1) or Ovopel (one-fifth of a pellet per kg and, after 12 h, one pellet per kg). It was found that in the case of Ovopel treatment, the percentage of spawning females of strain F and the cross-breed 1X was higher than in the hypophysed fish compared. The applied ovulation stimulators did not significantly affect the weight of obtained eggs, whereas the significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect was recorded with respect to the quality of eggs after 12-, 24-, 36- and 48-h of incubation. After Ovopel stimulation, the quality of eggs was better. The origin of the females had no statistically significant effect on the weight of eggs although the yield of eggs from fish of strain W was much smaller than that from females of strain F and the 1X cross-breed. The interaction between the ovulation stimulator and the provenance of the females was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the percentage of live embryos after 48-h of incubation of eggs. Eggs of the best quality (and highest weight) were obtained from fish of strain F and cross-breed 1X treated with Ovopel. In females of strain F that spawned within 6 and 10 h after the second Ovopel injection, the effect of the ovulation time on the weight of eggs was non-significant. It was significant with respect to the percentage of egg fertilization and of live embryos after 36-h of incubation (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.05 respectively). The better quality of eggs (and their higher weight) was recorded when this time was shorter.

Artificial spawning of carp Cyprinus carpio L.: differences between the effects on reproduction in females of Israeli strain Dor-70 and its cross-breed treated with carp pituitary and Ovopel

The effects on carp reproduction were investigated in females of the Dor-70 strain and a cross-breed of this line with a Hungarian one of carp pituitary and Ovopel as ovulation stimulators. It was clear that, in the case of the Ovopel treatment, a higher percentage of females spawned, although the weight of eggs obtained was less than that yielded by hypophysed fish, the differences being highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) with respect to the weight in grams and to percentage of female body weight. No statistically significant differences were determined in the quality of eggs, measured by both the fertilization percentage and the percentage of living embryos, obtained after the two stimulators were used. Neither the provenance of females nor the interaction of female provenance and the stimulator has any effect on the traits investigated. The correlation between the percentage of fertilization and the percentage of live embryos was 0.54 for strain Dor-70 and 0.95 for the cross-breed. The multiple regression equations were calculated for strain Dor-70 and for cross-breed 5 separately, where the percentage of living embryos constituted a dependent variable and the mass of a female, mass of eggs in grams and the percentage of fertilization were independent variables. We appraised the regressions as significant for Dor-70 (P ≤ 0.04) and highly significant for the cross-breed (P ≤ 0.0001).