Induced ovulation in Atlantic croaker (Sciaenidae) using hCG and an LHRH analog: A preliminary study

A single dose of LHRHa (D-Ala(6), des Gly(10)- LHRH-ethylamide; 100 mug/kg body weight); administered by intramuscular injection, effectively induced ovulation in the Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus ); 37 of 40 (92%) females were successfully hand-stripped and there was no mortality. A single dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 500 IU/kg body weight) was successful in inducing oocyte hydration. However, only 16 of 30 (53%) females ovulated successfully and could be hand-stripped. Another 8 females became extremely bloated and died. Thus LHRHa was shown to be the more reliable method of inducing ovulation in the Atlantic croaker. The response interval between hormone treatment and ovulation at different water temperatures was also determined.