Artificial propagation and embryonic growth of stinging catfish, heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) using s-gnrha (salmon gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue)

Abstract

An experiment was performed to examine the potentiality of a synthetic hormone analogue in the artificial propagation i.e., the embryonic and larval development of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis). Broodfish were injected with S-GnRHa at the concentrations of 1, 2.5, and 5 ml.kg-1 of body weight (BW) in females and at 0.5, 1.125 and 2.5 ml.kg-1 BW in males treatment groups T1, T2 and T3, respectively, with three replicates in each group. The fishes were induced to spawn, and ovulation occurred at about 10-11 hours after the hormone injection. Results showed highest fertilization (83.11±1.36) and hatching rates (89.56±1.04) in T2, whereas ovulation rate was 100% in all treatment groups. First cleavage was observed at 30 minutes of post-fertilization. Embryonic developmental period sequentially for 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, 32-cell, 64-cell, Morula (Improve), Blastula, Gastrula, somatic formation, yolk-plug, twisting movement and pre-hatching occurred at 00:30, 00:45, 01:10, 01:30, 02:00, 02:30, 03:00, 04:00, 06:40, 09:00-18:00, 19:00, 20:00-21:00 and 22:00 hours, respectively. Hatching occurred after 23:00 hours of fertilization. Current results suggest the feasibility of S-GnRHa as an effective synthetic hormone in the artificial propagation of H. fossilis.