Manipulation of reproduction in farmed fish

The production of fish by aquaculture has increased rapidly in recent years, An important factor in this growth has been the application of controlled reproduction biotechnologies, Recent progress in the development of induced ovulation and spermiation technologies has facilitated the reproduction of many commercial species. The use of a variety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues with or without dopamine antagonists is replacing the use of pituitary preparations, Current research is focused on optimal administration techniques utilizing intramuscular, intraperitoneal and oral routes. Sex control technologies have also seen rapid development and application in salmonids and tilapias, as a means of increasing both production efficiency and reproductive containment, Gender control will be applied in the near future to other farmed species including flatfish and seabass. The most effective techniques involve the production of monosex gametes by either endocrine manipulation during early development or a combination of endocrine and genetic technologies.