Tilapia fingerlings are fed with meals mixed with methyl testosterone hormone to reverse the sex of tilapia from female to male
Sex reversal of newly hatched tilapia generally is accomplished via oral administration of 17a-methyltestosterone (MT), which has been incorporated into a starter fish feed at 60 mg MT/kg feed . Although the use of the 60 mg MT/kg feed dose consistently yields populations comprised of less than 5% females (i.e., > 95% males), this has not been shown to be the optimal dose. Other investigators have reported sex reversal of tilapia at dose rates less than 60 mg MT/kg feed however, results from some of these studies are inconsistent, and it is difficult to separate treatment environment effects. Thus, it is necessary to identify the optimal dose of MT for consistent, successful sex reversal in a variety of treatment environments.
Naturally occurring sources of testosterone may be an alternative to using a synthetic androgen, which also is an anabolic steroid, for tilapia sex reversal.
Ref-
Sex Reversal of Tilapia: 17a-Methyltestosterone Dose Rate Environment and Efficacy of Bull Testes .
Interim Work Plan, Honduras, Study 4
Ronald P. Phelps, Leonard L. Lovshin and Bartholomew W. Green
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
Auburn University
Auburn, USA
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