Drug Summary and History
Catfish Pituitary (CP) INAD 11-468

The use of hormones to induce gamete maturation (ovulation and spermiation) and spawning in fishes is crucial to the success of many aquaculture and wildstock fisheries programs. World-wide, common carp pituitary (CCP) has long been used (and remains the most frequently used material) to induce gamete maturation in fishes. However, channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) pituitary (CP) has also been found to be similarly effective in inducing ovulation and spermiation (Sneed and Clemens, 1960; and Clemens and Sneed, 1968). Although CP has not been widely used to date, it is easily obtainable, and may in fact offer some advantages as compared to CCP with respect to specific use in catfish species. Thus, CP has been identified as a candidate for approval for the above-described use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The primary goal of field studies conducted under INAD #11-468 is to generate data to help determine appropriate CP treatment regimens for inducing gamete maturation in a variety of catfish species. Under this INAD Hybrid Catfish Company is the authorized CP supplier to all Investigators. One treatment option (injectable) is recommended (see below). All treated fish must be maintained in culture facilities or captivity for at least 3 days following CP treatment. If fish are injected more than once, this requirement will be based on the date/time of final injection.

Treatment Option (injectable): Administer as an intraperitoneal (IP) or intramuscular (IM) injectable. The standard dosage rate is 10 mg CP/kg body weight (not to exceed 25 mg CP/kg body weight). Single or multiple (usually two) treatments may be administered. If two treatments are administered, the first will be the “priming” dose (e.g. 2 mg CP/kg), and the second will be the “resolving” dose (e.g. 8 mg CP/kg).