Effects of dietary supplementation with carp ovary on gonad differentiation and growth of the European eel

Abstract

Treating elvers of European eel Anguilla anguilla with mature carp ovary for 3-6 months during early growth induced female differentiation in 51•6-66•7% of treated animals compared with c. 5% in controls. The treatment also induced differentiation of ovaries in eels <13 cm LT and a higher number of Syrski organs with ambisexual characters, and was most effective when administered at an early growth stage. The results could be attributed to the natural steroid content of the carp ovary. The total weight of treated animals at the end of the farm experiment was 84•7% higher than controls. The specific growth rate for weight was significantly higher in female yellow eels than in males, for both control and treated groups. The enhanced growth was related to induced feminization. A diet supplementation with mature carp ovary could be a good approach to control of sex differentiation and growth in eels