Use of Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin to Spawn Early-Egg-Stage Striped Bass

Abstract

Female striped bass Morone saxatilis with eggs in early stages of development were successfully spawned after being given a priming injection of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog followed by a resolving injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Over 2 years, 18 of 19 injected fish spawned, producing over 3.5 million viable fry. Egg fertilization rates for all fish that spawned averaged 41%. This procedure, which differs from the traditional spawning method of HCG injection, can increase production by increasing the duration of the production season. In addition, broodfish that once would have been released at capture because they contained early egg developmental stages can now be spawned and used in production.