Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of three GnRH analogues in induced breeding of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis under hatchery conditions

Evaluating the breeding performance of cultivable fish using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues is crucial for optimizing reproductive efficiency and enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture practices. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding which GnRH analogue performs best under hatchery conditions for stinging catfish. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the breeding performance of stinging catfish ( Heteropneustes fossilis ) using three commercially available GnRH analogs: Wova-FH, Ovaprim, and Easy-spawn. For this purpose, an experiment was set up in a commercial hatchery by dividing the samples into three groups, each treated with one of the analogs: Wova-FH, Ovaprim, or Easy-spawn. In the experiment, a ratio of 1.5:1 male to female was maintained, and 1 mL syringes were used to inject the analogs. The results showed that the spawning induction efficiency differed among the three inducing agents. Compared to Ovaprim and Easy-spawn, Wova-FH-treated H. fossilis exhibited higher breeding success in all measured aspects. Specifically, Wova-FH achieved a latency period of 8 h, an ovulation rate of 87.25%, a fertilization rate of 89.33%, a hatching rate of 88.85%, and an incubation period of 16 h. In comparison, Ovaprim and Easy-spawn had incubation periods of 18 h and 24 h, respectively. In Ovaprim-induced individuals, the latency period was approximately 8.30 h, with an ovulation rate of 82.08%, a fertilization rate of 86.75%, and a hatching rate of 85.97%. In contrast, the Easy-spawn-induced individuals had a latency period of 9 h, an ovulation rate of 27.50%, a fertilization rate of 27.10%, and a hatching rate of 26.15%. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) were observed among the treatments in both the ovulation rate, fertilization rate, latency period incubation period, and hatching rate. The findings suggest that Wova-FH is a superior alternative to Ovaprim and Easy-spawn for GnRH analogs in the induced breeding programs of H. fossilis , offering optimal yield.