Comparison of the Efficiency of Common Carp and Silver Carp Pituitary in the Breeding of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Northern Pike (Esox lucius)

Hormone preparations are used by fish farmers for artificial propagation of fish. In practice, acetone-dried common carp pituitary is the most commonly used agent to induce ovulation. In the last two decades the supply of glands has reduced and the market price has soared. The aim of our research was to compare the effects of silver carp pituitary (SCP) to those of common carp pituitary (CCP) on different reproductive traits. Experiments were performed over the large-scale breeding of northern pike (Esox lucius) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Ovulation rate of northern pike females for both groups was 70.4% in the first experimental year. In the second year, ovulation rates were 94.4% and 87% for the CCP and SCP groups, respectively. The relative amounts of stripped eggs (PGSI) for the two groups were similar (14.3%) in the first year. In the second year PGSI values were 18.7 +/- 3.43% and 20.1 +/- 3.92% for the CCP and SCP groups, respectively. Fertilization rates for the two groups were similar in both experimental years. Ovulation rates for common carp females induced by CCP and SCP were 66.7% and 100%, respectively. In the CCP group PGSI was 13.7 +/- 5.49%, while in the SCP group is was 14.5 +/- 2.32%. With the exception of ovulation rate of common carp, all reproductive traits for the two treatments were statistically similar. According to our research, SCP could be suitable to have wide application for induced ovulation of fish in the future