Breeding Response of Clarias gariepinus Induced with Pituitary Gland and Synthetic Hormone (Ovulin) and the Effect on Growth Performance of Its Hybrid in New Bussa, Nigeria

A study on the effect of using different hormones (Dry pituitary, Fresh pituitary and Synthetic hormone) on the breeding performance of Clarias gariepinus and growth response of the resultant hybrid was carried out. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design at the Hatchery Complex of National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa, Nigeria. The treatments were T1 (Inducement with Dry pituitary gland), T2 (Inducement with Fresh pituitary gland) and T3 (Inducement with Ovulin synthetic hormone). The result of the study showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in all the treatment means in terms of fertilization and hatching rate. However, all the growth performance parameters tested (final weight, mean weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate and condition factor), showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The Pituitary extract treatments were observed to have fish of higher growth than those of synthetic hormone (Ovulin). However, dried pituitary extract (T1) was observed to have better growth performance than fresh pituitary extract (T2) and synthetic hormone (ovulin). Based on the findings of this study therefore, dried pituitary extract is recommended for induced breeding of African catfish.