The induction of maturation of female American eels through hormone injections

Abstract

1. Female American eels (Anguilla rostrataLe Sueur) were induced to mature by injecting silver migratory forms with powdered carp pituitaries. 2. The eggs of mature American eels resemble closely those of the European and Japanese eels, i. e. they are small (1 mm), almost spherical and have oil droplets within; thus, they appear to be pelagic. 3. The number of eggs of one mature specimen was in the range 1.3 to 1.5 × 106. 4. Purified ovine LH was not an efficacious gonadal stimulant in female American eels. 5. A unique and pungent odor detectable from the skin and mucus of matured and partially matured eels is described for the first time. © 1975 Biologischen Anstalt Helgoland.