Wild spawners of common bream, Abramis brama, were caught in the Kortowskie Lake (north Poland) and transported to a hatchery for artificial spawning. Fish were hormonally induced using GnRH analogue combined with metoclopramide (ovopel). The results of bream reproduction in captivity were compared with fish treated with the combination of hCG and CPE and with control group injected saline. Males from treated groups produced significantly more milt (over 4.3 ml/kg vs. 2.1) of better qualities: spermatozoon concentration (over 9.3 × 10 9 vs. 6.8) and motility (over 85% vs. 62). Females from the control group did not spawn whereas those from hormonally induced groups ovulated: 62% after CPE treatment and 100% after GnRHa treatment. Generally, the fish after ovopel stimulation showed the best hatchery parameters.

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The traditional GnRH analogue treatments applying the chemicals in pure form proved to be ineffective in inducing ovulation in northern pike (Esox lucius L). Neither mGnRHa ([D‐Ala6, Pro9NEt]‐mGnRH) nor sGnRHa ([D‐Arg6, Pro9‐Net]‐sGnRH) administered alone or together with pimozide (mGnRHa), metoclopramide (mGnRHa) or domperidone (sGnRHa) induced ovulation in females, whereas in groups receiving a carp pituitary injection most females ovulated. Spawning‐inducing agent Dagin did not induce ovulation, whereas all but one female ovulated in the carp pituitary‐treated group. Treatment with another preparation, Ovaprim, resulted in similar or lower ovulation ratio than treatment with carp pituitary. After the Ovaprim treatment, time to ovulation was not as predictable as after the carp pituitary injection. The mean fertilization rate was relatively low and similar in the groups treated with Ovaprim (54.7 ± 12.3% and 58.7 ± 19.1% for the first and second experiment respectively) and with carp pituitary (53.7 ± 10.5% and 58.9 ± 14.9%). The mean pseudogonadosomatic index (PGSI) was also similar between the Ovaprim‐treated group (14.5 ± 6.1%) and the carp pituitary‐treated one (17.9 ± 4.1%). In the present experiments, treatment with Ovaprim was less effective than that with carp pituitary.

Contents Long‐term data on the induced spawning of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) at a large‐scale hatchery were evaluated. Breeders at the farm prefer medium‐size fish with body weights between 4 and 8 kg. The number of females selected for propagation in the first period of the spawning season made up about half of the total number of females (47.5%). The average spawning ratio from the data of 2620 females receiving hormonal injections was 79.8%. From the egg production data of 2086 females, the average pseudogonadosomatic index (PGSI) was calculated as 16.3 ± 5.87% (mean ± SD) for the same period. There was a high correlation between fish weight and the time of induction, determined by the breeder on the basis of secondary sexual characteristics. The similarity of the responses of females among the different weight categories proved the reliability of this method for identification. The time of induction has a significant effect on both the responsiveness of the females and the relative quantity of eggs released. Spawning ratio was significantly lower in the third period of the reproductive season, compared with those in the first and second period. Mean PGSIfor the third period was significantly lower than that for the first period. The considerable decrease of both reproductive parameters by the end of the spawning season is attributed to ovarian atresia. The spawning ratio and the mean PGSIfor the mirror and scaled varieties were similar.

The efficiency of northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus) fry production via hormonal treatment of wintered broodstock is, in general, relatively low due to low egg fertilization percentage. It has been experimentally demonstrated that administration of acetone-dried carp pituitary extract in a slow-release vehicle of aqueous dispersion of Carbopol 971 P resin (CP) resulted in a higher mean fertilization percentage, possibly because the gradual hormone action could optimally control ovarian follicle maturation and ovulation. This new method of hormonal induction of ovulation was tested in a large-scale hatchery production of northern pike fry. In the present study, data on fertilization percentage collected between 2002 and 2006 at two prominent hatcheries in Hungary were analyzed. Administration of acetone-dried carp pituitary in a 2.5% CP vehicle resulted in higher fertilization (76.4 ± 7.7%; mean ± SD) compared to the saline vehicle group (59.3 ± 10.8%). The vehicle used did not affect the ovulation ratio. According to these results from large-scale production, the new method could be suitable to have wide application for induced breeding of northern pike.