Nutrition, hormones and growth

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Fish Biology
• Aquaculture

Background:

• Hormones play a crucial role in regulating food intake and nutritional state in fish.
• The interplay between nutritional status and hormone activity significantly impacts fish physiology and growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the complex interactions between hormones, food intake, nutritional state, and fish growth.
• To examine the role of specific hormones (growth hormone, thyroid hormones, insulin, gonadal steroids) in fish metabolism and growth.
• To assess the potential of anabolic steroids in aquaculture, focusing on protein intake.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on hormonal regulation of feeding and metabolism in fish.
• Analysis of studies investigating the effects of hormone variations and administration on food intake and conversion efficiency.
• Examination of current research trends and findings regarding anabolic steroids in aquaculture.

Main Results:

• Growth hormone, thyroid hormones, insulin, and gonadal steroids are integral to fish growth and metabolism, responding to nutritional status.
• Altered plasma hormone levels and exogenous hormone application can modulate food intake and food conversion efficiency in fish.
• Anabolic steroids show promise for aquaculture, with ongoing research into their efficacy and impact on protein utilization.

Conclusions:

• The bidirectional relationship between hormones and nutrition is a critical determinant of fish growth.
• Hormonal manipulation and understanding nutritional states are vital for enhancing fish growth and aquaculture productivity.
• Further research into anabolic steroids is warranted to optimize their application in sustainable aquaculture systems.