Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

Effects of Different Catfish Pituitary Gland Extract Dosages on Eggs and Hatchlings Quantity of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus at a Constant Latency Period

Sebastian S Moshaand and Frank T Mlingi

An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of different dosages of catfish pituitary glands extract (CPGE) on eggs and hatchlings quantity of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus at a constant latency period. In this experiment, four dosages (2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg of female) were used. Each dosage extracted from a male (300 g to 305 g) was injected to individual female (350 g to 355 g) at three replications and a total of 12 females were injected. The females were striped after 17 hour at 26°C to 28°C, eggs were counted and incubated. After for 24 hours of incubation at 26°C to 28°C, all hatchlings were counted and recorded. The results indicated that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the dosages on egg and hatchlings quantity. Egg weight, egg number and percentage egg weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher in dosage three (4 mg/kg) compared to other treatments. Total hatchlings and percentage hatchlings produced from striped females were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to other dosages. In conclusion, the experiment indicated that higher eggs and hatchlings quantity at a constant latency period are attained with 4 mg/kg of female. Therefore, it is recommended that for better induction of ovulation in African catfish, 4 mg/kg of female pituitary gland extract should be used as suggested by this study.