Effect of hormonal treatment on artificial propagation, spawning performance and embryonic development of striped snakehead Channa striata (Bloch, 1793).

Present study describes the spawning induction of striped Snakehead, Channa striata using carp pituitary extract (CPE) and LH-RH agonist i.e. Buserelin (Glp-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-tBu-Leu-Arg-Pro-NHEt). Total four treatments were designed under both hormones trail and treated as control group, T1, T2, and T3 with three replications of each treatment. While breeders under all hormone treatments showed spawning performances, no spawning performance was observed in control group. Latency time after hormonal treatment was lowest (20-24 hrs) in case of CPE than Buserelin (25-30 hrs). Regarding to CPE, spawning, fertilization and hatching rate were higher with the increasing doses of CPE in different treatments. The highest mean ± Standard deviation spawning, fertilization and hatching rate were 85.60±8.58 %, 79.38±4.89 % and 64.33±6.60 % respectively in T3 where dose of CPE was 80 mg kg-1. Similarly, in case of Buserelin hormone highest spawning rate was found in T3 (80.61±5.59) where dose of Buserelin was 0.80 µg kg-1 body weight. Fertilization rate was on the level 48.57±5.99, 70.62±5.33 and 90.32±4.79 respectively for T1, T2, and T3.Whilst, hatching rate was found 20.81±4.91, 37.11±4.50 and 61.33±6.61 in T1, T2, and T3 treatments respectively. However, T3 exhibited best performance regarding spawning, fertilization and hatching rate which were significantly higher than other two treatments.The current study revealed that spawning induction using carp pituitary extract and Buserelin is effective and might be useful for artificial breeding of Channa striata. Regarding to dose application i.e. 80 mg kg-1 of CPE and 0.80 µg kg-1 of Buserelin may be successfully applied to ovulation stimulation of Channa striata.

Using Osmotic Pumps to Induce the Production of Gametes in Male and Female European Eels.

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a commercially valued species for aquaculture. Over the past decades, it has experienced a drastic reduction in its natural stocks. Thus, breeding in captivity is considered essential, nowadays, to guarantee the eel aquaculture and to reduce pressure on natural populations. Traditionally, the European eel has been sexually matured by means of weekly hormonal injections, which cause stress to the fish. The purpose of this research study was to assess the use of osmotic pumps as a new method to induce sexual maturation in male and female European eels, without the weekly injection. The control groups were treated with weekly hormone injections (recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin for males and carp pituitary extract for females), and the implanted groups were treated with osmotic pumps (ALZET® osmotic pumps) loaded with the respective hormones. Regarding male European eels, this study shows that the use of controlled release systems was able to induce the maturation and spermiation, but without the necessary capacity to produce enough gametes with acceptable quality parameters that could meet the needs of a commercial eel hatchery. Concerning female European eels, the study demonstrates that the use of osmotic pumps loaded with CPE became an effective method, generating early maturations (4 to 10 weeks) in 50% of the females, so this method could become a viable alternative for eel hatchery procedures.

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.

Tambaqui females (Colossoma macropomum) spawn after hormonal induction with buserelin acetate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate induced reproduction in tambaqui females using buserelin acetate as compared with the traditional treatment regimen with carp pituitary extract (CPE). Reproductive traits of females with a body weight (BW) of 8.47 ±â€¯1.52 kg were evaluated in ten females treated with buserelin acetate at the dose of 0.5 mL/kg BW, in a single application, and in ten females treated with CPE at the dose of 5.5 mg/kg BW, in two applications (10 % and 90 %, with a 12-h interval between applications). Spawning rate did not differ between the females treated with buserelin acetate (40 %) and CPE (40 %). Weight, fertilization rate and hatching rate did not differ between the two treatment groups. Degree-hours (determined as the average temperature multiplied by time, in hours, for spawning after the treatment with the second dose of CPE and after the single treatment with buserelin acetate) for spawning and number of oocytes per gram of gametes collected were greater (P < 0.05) in the females treated with buserelin acetate than in the females treated with CPE. Production index, absolute fecundity and relative fecundity were greater (P < 0.05) in the females treated with CPE. The hormone buserelin acetate promotes reproduction in tambaqui females with there being a similar spawning rate and oocyte quality, however, lesser production indices and fecundity than when there is the conventional treatment regimen imposed with carp pituitary extract.

Molecular markers of oocyte differentiation in European eel during hormonally induced oogenesis.

Reproduction in captivity is a key study issue in Anguilla anguilla as a possible solution for its dwindling population. Understanding the mechanisms controlling the production of ribosomal building blocks during artificially induced oocyte maturation could be particularly interesting. Transcription levels of ribosomal biogenesis associated genes could be used as markers to monitor oogenesis. Eels from the Albufera Lagoon were injected with carp pituitary extract for 15weeks and ovaries in previtellogenic (PV) stage (non-injected), in early-, mid-, late-vitellogenesis (EV, MV, LV), as well as in migratory nucleus stage (MN) were analysed. 5S rRNA and related genes were highly transcribed in ovaries with PV oocytes. As oocytes developed, transcriptional levels of genes related to 5S rRNA production (gtf3a), accumulation (gtf3a, 42sp43) and nucleocytoplasmic transport (rpl5, rpl11) and the 5S/18S rRNA index decreased (PV>EV>MV>LV>MN). On the contrary, 18S rRNA was at its highest at MN stage while ubtf1 in charge of activating RNA-polymerase I and synthesising 18S rRNA behaved as 5S related genes. Individuals that did not respond (NR) to the treatment showed 5S/18S index values similar to PV females, while studied genes showed EV/LV-like transcription levels. Therefore, NR females fail to express the largest rRNAs, which could thus be taken as markers of successful vitellogenesis progression. In conclusion, we have proved that the transcriptional dynamics of ribosomal genes provides useful tools to characterize induced ovarian development in European eels. In the future, such markers should be studied as putative indicators of response to hormonal treatments and of the quality of obtained eel oocytes.

Efecto del protocolo de inducción hormonal en la espermiación y las características seminales de yaque ( Leiarius marmoratus ) / Effect of hormone induction protocol in the spermiation and seminal characteristics of yaque (Leiarius marmoratus) / Efeito do protocolo de indução hormonal sobre a spermiação e as características do sêmen do yaque (Leiarius marmoratus)

Resumen El yaque Leiarius marmoratus, es una especie de siluriforme nativo con gran potencial para la diversificación de la acuicultura colombiana; sin embargo, la espermiación en cautiverio aún presenta dificultades debido al bajo volumen seminal liberado con los protocolos de inducción tradicionales. En consecuencia, el objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de cinco protocolos de inducción hormonal, basados en Extracto de Hipófisis de Carpa (EHC), sGnRHa + domperidona (OVAPRIM®) y Gonadotropina Coriónica Humana (GHC) (FERTIVET®), sobre la calidad y volumen seminal de la especie. Fueron seleccionados 18 machos sexualmente maduros de 54,4 ± 2,2 cm de longitud total y 1,6 ± 0,1 kg peso corporal. Se evaluaron 5 tratamientos, así: T1: 0,25 ml/kg (0 h) y 1 ml/kg de OVAPRIM® (12 h); T2: 1 mg/kg de EHC (0 h) y 3 mg/kg de EHC (12 h); T3: dosis única de 200 UI/kg de GCH; T4: 3 mg/kg de EHC (0 h) y 200 UI/Kg de GHC (8h); T5: 1 ml/kg de OVAPRIM® (0h) y 200 UI/kg de GHC (8h); Control: 1 ml de suero fisiológico. El semen se colecto 6 h después de aplicada la última dosis hormonal. El T1 y T5 mostraron un volumen mayor (p<0,05) (5,4 ± 1,1; 4,8 ± 1,2 ml) cuando comparados con T2 (3,1 ± 1ml), T3 (2,3 ml) T4 (2,4 ± 1,1 ml) y el control (0,2 ml). En cuanto a la movilidad y tiempo de activación, T1 y T5 presentaron los mejores resultados (90 ± 0% y 54,2 ± 7 s; 90 ± 0% y 52,9 ± 3,8 s, respectivamente). La concentración espermática fue mayor (p<0,05) en T2 y T5 (1,275 ± 322; y 1,261 ± 225 sptz x 103/µl) comparadas con los otros tratamientos. Se concluye que la inducción hormonal con OVAPRIM® combinada con HCG, son efectivas para la producción seminal en la especie.

Abstract The yaque Leiarius marmoratus is specie of native silurid, with great potential for the diversification of the colombian aquaculture; however, the spermiation in captive yet presents difficulties due to the low seminal volume released with traditional induction protocols. In consequence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of five protocols of hormonal induction based on carp pituitary extract (EHC), sGnRHa + domperidone (OVAPRIM®) and human chorionic gonadotropin (GHC) (FERTIVET®) on seminal quality and volume of the specie. Were selected 18 sexually mature males of 54,4 ± 2,2 cm in total length and 1,6 ± 0,1 kg body weight. 5 treatments were evaluated so: T1 : 0,25 ml/kg (0 h) and 1 ml/kg of OVAPRIM® (12 h ); T2: 1 mg/kg of EHC (0 h) and 3 mg/kg of EHC (12 h) ; T3 : single dose of 200 UI/kg HCG; T4: 3 mg/kg of EHC (0 h) and 200 UI /kg GHC (8h) ; T5: 1 ml/kg of OVAPRIM® (0h) and 200 U.I / kg of GHC (8h) ; Control: 1 ml of saline solution. Semen was obtained 6 hours after the last dose hormone. T1 and T5 showed a larger volume (p<0.05) (5,4 ± 1,1, 4,8 ± 1,2 ml) compared to T2 (3,1 ± 1ml), T3 (2,3 ml) T4 (2,4 ± 1.1 ml) and control (0.2 ml). Regarding motility and activation time, T1 and T5 had the best results (90 ± 0 % and 54,2 ± 7 s; 90 ± 0 % and 52,9 ± 3,8 s, respectively). The sperm concentration was higher in (p<0,05) T2 and T5 (1,275 ± 322, ± 225 and 1,261 sptz x 103/ul) compared with the other treatments. In conclusion, hormonal induction with OVAPRIM® combined with HCG, are effective for the seminal production in the specie.

Resumo O yaque Leiarius marmoratus, é uma espécie siluriforme nativa com grande potencial para a diversificação da aquicultura colombiana; No entanto, a spermiação em cativeiro ainda apresenta dificuldades devido ao baixo volume seminal liberado com protocolos de indução tradicionais. Por conseguinte, o objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos de protocolos de indução de cinco hormonais base de extrato de hipófise de carpa (EHC), sGnRHa + domperidona (Ovaprim®) e Gonadotropina coriónica humana (GHC) (FERTIVET®) sobre a qualidade e volume seminal das espécies. Foram Selecionados 18 machos sexualmente maduros de 54,4 ± 2,2 cm de comprimento total e 1,6 ± 0,1 kg de peso corporal. Foram avaliados cinco tratamentos: T1: 0,25 ml / kg (0 h) e 1 ml / kg de OVAPRIM® (12 h); T2: 1 mg / kg de EHC (0 h) e 3 mg / kg de EHC (12 h); T3: dose única de 200 UI / kg de HCG; T4: 3 mg / kg de EHC (0 h) e 200 UI / kg de GHC (8h); T5: 1 ml / kg de OVAPRIM® (0h) e 200 UI / kg de GHC (8h); Controle: 1 ml de solução salina fisiológica. O sêmen foi coletado 6 h após a última dose hormonal foi aplicada. T1 e T5 mostraram um volume maior (p <0,05) (5,4 ± 1,1, 4,8 ± 1,2 ml) quando comparado com T2 (3,1 ± 1 ml), T3 (2,3 ml) T4 (2,4 ± 1,1 ml) e controle (0,2 ml). Em relação à mobilidade e ao tempo de ativação, T1 e T5 apresentaram os melhores resultados (90 ± 0% e 54,2 ± 7 s, 90 ± 0% e 52,9 ± 3,8 s, respectivamente). A concentração de esperma foi maior (p <0,05) em T2 e T5 (1275 ± 322 e 1261 ± 225 sptz x 103 / µl) em comparação com os outros tratamentos. Conclui-se que a indução hormonal com OVAPRIM® combinada com HCG, é efetiva para a produção seminal nas espécies.

Seminal characteristics of piabanha before and after induction with different hormones / Características seminais de piabanha antes e após a indução com diferentes hormônios

The migratory species piabanha does not reproduce in lentic environments since it requires environmental stimuli for the maturation and extrusion of gametes, and therefore hormonal induction is mandatory. Current study compares the seminal characteristics of Brycon insignis without any hormonal induction (Control - Ctrl) and with two types of hormonal inductors, or rather, carp pituitary extract (T1 - 2.5 mg kg-1 body weight) and GnRH analogues, the latter applied in two different concentrations (T2 - 0.7 mg kg-1 body weight and T3 - 1.4 mg kg-1 body weight). Post-induction analyses showed that the hormones increased the motility rate - Ctrl (95%), T1 (100%), T2 (100%) and T3 (98%), although sperm concentration - Ctrl (11.52 x 109); T1 (4.37 x 109); T2 (4.34 x 109); T3 (4.01 x 109) decreased. Assessments for sperm vigor, motility time and spermatic morphology did not vary with hormonal induction. Hormonal inducer does not alter negatively the seminal characteristics of the piabanha, and the choice for the proper hormone depends on the preference of the dispenser.

A espécie migradora piabanha não possui a capacidade de reproduzir em ambientes lênticos devido à necessidade de estímulos ambientais para a maturação e extrusão dos gametas, por isso a necessidade da indução hormonal. No presente estudo, as características seminais do Brycon insignis foram comparadas sem indução hormonal (Ctrl) e utilizando dois tipos de indutores hormonais - Extrato de Hipófise de Carpa (T1 - 2,5 mg kg-1 de peso vivo) e Análogos de GnRH, sendo este último aplicado em duas concentrações distintas (T2 - 0,7 mg kg -1 de peso vivo e T3 - 1,4 mg kg-1 de peso vivo). As análises realizadas após a indução mostraram que os hormônios utilizados produziram um aumento da taxa de motilidade - Ctrl (95%), T1 (100%), T2 (100%) e T3 (98%), porém houve uma diminuição na concentração espermática - Ctrl (11,52 x 109), T1 (4,37 x 109), T2 (4,34 x 109) e T3 (4,01 x 109). Os restantes das avaliações, vigor espermático, tempo de motilidade e morfologia espermática não apresentaram variações com a indução hormonal. Portanto, a utilização do indutor hormonal não altera negativamente as características seminais de piabanha, e a escolha do mesmo se deve à preferência do manipulador.