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Aquaculture 2018
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 - 2 1 , 2 0 1 8
L i s b o n , P o r t u g a l
Page 27
Journal of
ISSN: 1307-234X
E u r o p e a n S u mm i t o n
Aquaculture, Fisheries
and Horticulture
Enhancement of reproductive ability that essentially includes expansion
of breeding periodicity and acceleration of oocyte maturation in any
economically important fish species is a fascinating area of modern
aquaculture. The target is traditionally reached by effective manipulation of
one or more endocrine and environmental factors, which collectively determine
the rate of fecundity of the species. Accordingly, the pineal hormone melatonin
(N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), that transmits photoperiodic information of
the environment to the neuro-endocrine regulatory axis of reproduction, has
earned special attention. A number of carefully controlled experimental studies
provided convincing evidence that exogenous administration of melatonin at
a specific dose, for a particular duration, and at an appropriate reproductive
season in a periodic breeder, like carp, stimulates the process of gonadal
growth and oocyte maturation. Melatonin as a hormone seems to play a critical
role in the regulation of seasonal reproduction by activating the cascade that
stimulates hypothalamic neurons to produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH), and/or by acting directly on the gonads. Thus a commercial product
‘ovaprim’ (a combination of GnRH and domperidone) is very popular for ready
use in fish farming. Moreover, several new studies unequivocally demonstrated
that melatonin, apart from playing the role of a hormone, may act as a potent
antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress during maturation. A recent study by
providing the first evidence that melatonin pretreatment in carp ameliorates
ovaprim actions on the process of final oocyte-maturation and alleviates
oxidative stress in pre-ovulatory follicles has opened up a possibility of further
application of melatonin for induced spawning. This communication thus aims
to bring together the current knowledge on the role of melatonin as a hormone
as well as an antioxidant in the regulation of fish reproduction and shape the
current working hypotheses supported by recent findings obtained in carp or
based on knowledge gathered from other fish species.
Biography
Saumen Kumar Maitra has completed his PhD from Calcutta
University (India) and Postdoctoral studies from Mainz
University (Germany). He is the Professor and Former Head
in the Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati, a premier Central
University in India. He has published more than 150 papers
in reputed journals and has been serving as an Associate
Editor of ‘Frontiers in Experimental Endocrinology, and Editorial
Board Member of several journals of international repute. He
made a break-through research in off-season breeding of carp
by manipulation of duration of light (photoperiods) and/or
endogenous profiles of melatonin. By demonstrating melatonin
receptors on the carp oocytes, and the role of intra-ovarian
melatonin as a potent antioxidant, he provided the first evidence
of extra-hypothalamic actions of melatonin on any fish ovary.
Collectively, his research unequivocally proved the efficacy of
melatonin treatment as an effective tool for achieving desired
state of spawning in a commercially important fish.
Melatonin in the promotion of fish reproduction
Saumen Kumar Maitra
Visva-Bharati University, India
Saumen Kumar Maitra, Journal of Volume:12
DOI: 10.21767/1307-234X-C1-002