Growth response and some spawning indices of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) containing piscine DNA

Abstract Background This study investigated the growth response and some spawning indices of Oreochromis niloticus containing foreign fish DNA. Various concentrations of DNA: 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, and 40 µg/µl extracted from Heterotis niloticus traditionally. The DNA was manually transferred into the skeletal muscles of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (24.30–24.40 g weight and 4.0–4.50 cm length) using a micro-syringe and needle. The fish were reared for 90 days in a concrete pond (2 × 2 × 1 m 2 deep) partitioned into 4 (1 m 2 each) in triplicate arrangements in a completely randomized design manner. Results The result showed an increase in growth with the increase in DNA concentration. A better final weight (399.17 g) was observed in fingerlings that received 40 µg/µl followed by 20, 30, and 10 µg/µl (323.67 ± 21.60, 306.87 ± 4.64 and 296.67 ± 10.6) respectively. However, the feed conversion ratio was better in the control group. The survival rate was higher in O. niloticus injected with 40 µg/µl DNA compared to the control fish that did not receive any DNA. Conclusion The injected H. niloticus DNA was able to influence growth in O. niloticus. However, it could not enhance spawning indices in O. niloticus . The study revealed the possibility of enhancing the growth of Oreochromis niloticus via injection of Heterotis niloticus DNA.