Efficiency of Four Reproductive Hormones in the Artificial Propagation of Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829)

The efficiency of four different hormonal preparations (Heterotis niloticus pituitary extract, ovaprim, Clarias gariepinus pituitary extract and carp pituitary extract) on latency period, fecundity, fertilization, hatching, and larval survival in artificial propagation of Heterotis niloticus was investigated. Total of twelve females and twelve males earthen pond raised, 24months old broods were used. The females were divided into four groups. Each group was induced to spawn with the same hormone. Sperm from one male was used to fertilize eggs stripped from individual females. The broods were injected with four different hormonal preparations; Treatment 1, Heterotis niloticus pituitary extract (HnPE); Treatment 2, ovaprim (Ova); Treatment 3, Clarias gariepinus pituitary extract (CgPE) and Treatment 4, CPE: all replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. The results of the experiment were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and all of them received equal treatment. Latency period was significant (p<0.05) among the treatments, as the period lasted for 10hrs, 9hrs, 12hrs and 11hrs for Trt1, Trt2, Trt3 and Trt4 respectively at a temperature of 28oC. Percentage egg fertilization among treatments was significant (p<0.05) with the highest value of 89.66% and 89.33% recorded with HnPE and Ovaprim respectively, and lowest result of 67.33% recorded with CgPE. Percentage egg hatchability among treatments was significant (p<0.05) with the highest value of 84.16% and 80.66% recorded with Ovaprim and HnPE respectively, while the lowest result of 57.33% and 59.50% was recorded with CgPE and CPE respectively. Percentage larval survival among treatments was significant (p<0.05) the survival was highest with eggs hatched with Ovaprim (68.66%) closely followed with CPE (66.66%) and HnPE (63.16%) while the lowest result of 47.33% and 49.50% was recorded with CgPE and HnPE respectively. The results obtained, indicates the possibility of achieving the effectiveness of controlled reproduction in Heterotis niloticus studied, by applying the appropriate type of hormonal stimulation. At the end of this research, there were disparities in the efficiency of the four hormonal preparations and it was evident though one (ovaprim) gave the highest reproductive indices in fecundity, fertilization, hatchability and larval survival as it can be easily accessible though expensive in affirmation with the work of Asangusung and Uka [1] than other one’s but on the average, ovaprim, Heterotis niloticus pituitary extract and CPE could successfully be depended upon for commercial propagation of Heterotis niloticus.