Growth Stimulation of Juvenile Salmonids by Immersion in Recombinant Salmon Growth Hormone

Abstract

The ability of recombinant salmon growth hormone (rsGH) to accelerate the gorwth of juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta by immersion was investigated. Amdinistration of rsGH by immersion at doses of 3 or 30 mg/L for 60 min every 7 days resulted in a significant increase in the body length and body weight compared to control groups. The growth promoting effects of rsGH were also demonstrated in juvenile chum salmon, which were immersed in rsGH solution of 30 mg/L for 30 or 60 min every 4 days. These results strongly suggest that the observed growth stimulation following immersion is due to a specific effect of GH. © 1990, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.