EFFECTS OF 17α-METHYLTESTOSTERONE (MT) ON THE LIVER OF MALE AND FEMALE Clarias gariepinus BROODSTOCKS AFTER WEANING OFF THE HORMONE-TREATED FEED

Abstract

Clarias gariepinus fry numbering four hundred and fifty, were stocked in nine concrete tanks. Stocking density was fifty fry per 2 X 2 X 1 metre square tank. The duration for the experiment was three hundred and sixty-five (365) days. Feeding with the hormone ended at 365 days from which normal feeding without the use of the hormone commenced for another 365 days. Clarias gariepinus. fry were fed 0.2mm coppens feed mixed with 17α-Methyltestosterone (MT) at 10% of the fish' body weight from start of the experiment till they were one month old. Subsequently, fish were fed 0.8mm coppens feed from two months old till three months old. Feeding was administered at 10% of the fish' body weight. Clarias gariepinus fish were fed 2mm coppens at four months old. Feeding was also done at 10% of the fish' body weight. 6mm coppens feed was administered to fishes from five months old till twelve months at 5% of the fish' body weight. Thereafter, fish were fed 5% of the fish' body weight for another 365 days. Mean initial weights ranged from 0.053g to 0.065g. Mean final weights ranged from 6.7g to 8.8g. Liver weights for the CLA50 treatments ranged from 3.7g to 8.0g for the male Clarias gariepinus; while the female Clarias gariepinus also in the CLA50 treatment showed liver weights of 4.0g to 12.6g. The CLA100 treatments showed the following weights for the male Clarias gariepinus and the female Clarias gariepinus under the study -6.6g to 14.2g and 5.9g to 18.2g respectively. There were three treatments under study: CLA50, CLA100, CLA0. Treatments were triplicated.