The Use of Maturation Peptides to Induce and Synchronize Ovulation in Captive, Sexually Mature, Female Cobia

Aquaculture is vital for supporting the United States (U.S.) seafood production and to meet the growing demand for seafood and lessen reliance on foreign imports. The U.S. is turning to novel technologies and refining methodologies in aquaculture production to meet these demands. Especially, there is a clear lack of warm-water, marine-culture facilities in the U.S. To address the needs of the growing aquaculture industry, we conducted research to evaluate the use of a slow-release, cellulose- based spawning peptide implants containing sGnRHa combined with an intramuscular sGnRHa peptide and domperidone injection would synchronize and induce ovulation in captive, sexually mature female cobia. Five adult female cobia were received a combination of sGnRHA Ovaplant® implants and Ovaprim® injections that were successful in inducing ovulation under natural spawning season photoperiod and temperature without intensive photo-thermal manipulation. The induction of ovulation through hormone injection in sexually mature adult cobia was successful. The lack of fertilized eggs produced in this trial indicated that environmental conditioning as well as hormone injections may prove to be more successful.

Keywords: Aquaculture; Cellulose-based; Cobia; Induced ovulation; Rachycentron canadum