Sex Reversal of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Using Hormonal Immersion Technique

W.M.N.H.K. Fernando , A.R.S.B. Athauda and G.G.C.T.S. Galahitiyawa
1 1 2
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya1. CIC Agribusiness centre,
pelwehera2

Table 1: Male tilapia population at harvest 120

Introduction Results and discussion
Early sexual maturity in pond tilapia culture system is a
100
major impediment for culturist. They become sexual b
maturity less than 4 months of age. Fry produced in c
culture facilities are unwanted as they reduce the final 80
yield. As remedy to this all male tilapia culture is d

Male %
introduced as Male gives high taste, late sexual 60
maturity and faster growth compared to female tilapia
which ultimate resulted a higher yield from culture
40
system. Hormonal sex reversal methods are used to
produce all male tilapia. Immersion of fry in a hormone
solution during labile period is the most convenient 20
technique among all methods used for sex reversal of
tilapia. 0
500µg 250µg 100µg Control
Hormonal sex reversal methods
Treatment
Injection Feeding Immersion
Figure: 1. Male Tilapia population with
Only large fish Fry Fry
different concentrations of androstenodione
Only fish having Shorter labile Shorter labile
long labile period period fish period fish
There was a significant (P< 0.05) increase in male
tilapia population in the treated fish groups compared
Need skilled Need more Only few
to control. Androstenodione (Andriol) treatments of
labours labour days labour hours
500µg/L, 250µg/L, and 100µg/L concentrations
resulted in 89.55%, 77.05% and 68% male tilapia
Stress to fish Bad effects No effect to population, respectively while control had 58%
to environment males. Increasing androstenodione concentrations
environment
has resulted in increment (P< 0.05) of male
population suggesting that this hormone has a
Time specific 4-5 weeks Only 2 days significant impact on sex reversal in Tilapia. Among
feeding immersion different concentration of androstenodione (Andriol)
period
used, 500µg/L concentration showed the highest
    percentage (89.55%) of male tilapia population which
was higher than 31.55% compared to control.
Objectives Therefore, the best concentration for sex reversal
To identify the effect of Androstenodione (Andriol) hormone for sex reversal of Nile tilapia. was 500µg/L androstenodione (Andriol).

To identify the most effective hormone concentration for sex reversal of Nile tilapia.
Conclusion
According to this study, 500µg/L androstenodione
Methodology concentration is the best immersion solution among
the different concentrations used for sex reversal
Four t treatments
Treatment no Concentration
Further Recommendation
Trt 01 500µg/L
Trt 02 250µg/L •Increasing of number of days (10-13) of immersion
Trt 03 100µg/L •Reduce stocking density of fry during treatment
Trt 04 00µg/L (control) •Increase of water temperature in culture facility
•Use of ultrasound vibration during immersion time
3rd eyed stage fertilized eggs were collected from mouth of mother
tilapia and placed for artificial incubation using trays providing
constant water flow to provide sufficient oxygen, prevent deposit
on the trays bottom and removal of nitrogen excreta. Larvae were
hatched three days after placing of eggs in hatching trays.

Figure 1: Hatched larvae from fertilized eggs

11 and 13 days after fertilization fries were immersed 3-
th th

hour period in a hormone solution of androstenodione

(Andriol) at 150 fry/L density in each treatment while
control having same condition except hormone. Fries were
transferred to hapas (75 fry/hapa: 2 replicate for each Statistical analysis
treatment) for rest of the culture period. Using log linear model in SAS statistical analysis software (1998)

Sample collection and Gonad analysis

After 13- week of age, fish were randomly harvested (25 fish from each
hapa) for gonadal analysis. Gonad of each fish was placed over the slide
and stained by aceto carmine (carmine dissolved in 45% acetic acid)
followed by squashed to observe developing gonads through microscope
(x40) to different iate of male and female .
female male