Open AccessTHE EFFECT OF ANDROGENIC STEROIDS AS DIETARY ADDITIVES ON THE GROWTH OF CARP ( Cyprinus carpio )
Author(s) -
Matty A. J.,
Lone Khalid P.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
proceedings of the world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0748-3260
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1979.tb00072.x
Subject(s) - cyprinus , carp , testosterone (patch) , common carp , medicine , endocrinology , body weight , juvenile , biology , zoology , sexual maturity , aquaculture , fish <actinopterygii> , chemistry , fishery , ecology
Naturally occurring androgenic steroids, testosterone, 11‐ketotestosterone and adrenosterone were incorporated into trout feed pellets and their effect on growth examined when each was fed to juvenile common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ). The steroids were administered for a period of 60 days at concentrations of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg/kg of diet at a rate of 5% of body weight/day. After 60 days the drugs were withdrawn and fish returned to normal diet for another 30 days and growth monitored. Significant increases in body weight, total length and specific growth rate were recorded for all steroids. At the end of 60 days (drug feeding period) the fish receiving testosterone, 11‐ketotestosterone and adrenosterone were 84.2%, 92.7% and 115.9% respectively, heavier than the controls. At 90 days the experimental fish were 163.07%, 200.33% and 228.79% heavier than the controls for testosterone, 11‐ketotestosterone and adrenosterone respectively. Similar increases in total length were also recorded. These results illustrate the potential use for natural sex steroids in aquaculture.