An international team of researchers has developed an improved protocol for inducing artificial reproduction in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using human chorionic gonadotropin, offering a significant step forward for aquaculture operations. Published in Methods and Protocols, the study reports high fertilization and larval survival rates achieved with a single low-dose hormone injection-making it a practical tool for both commercial hatcheries and scientific research.
The technique involves a single intramuscular injection of the hormone at 2 IU per gram of body weight, resulting in an average fertilization rate of 88.3% and a larval survival rate of 90.5%. As the authors note, this protocol achieved these results, “demonstrating its potential for obtaining high-quality embryos for functional studies and enhancing reproductive performance on a commercial scale.”
One of the protocol’s most valuable contributions is its ability to sychronise ovulation and yield consistently mature eggs, which is particularly beneficial for laboratory applications such as genetic editing. “The hormonal induction protocol facilitates the collection of fully mature eggs, thus ensuring efficient fertilization, which is crucial for the success of gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9,” the researchers explain.
Unlike conventional methods-often based on observing spontaneous spawning and collecting eggs manually-this approach provides a controlled, reproducible system that reduces variability and improves outcomes.
Experiments were conducted at three incubation temperatures (24 °C, 28 °C and 32 °C), with consistently high fertilisation and survival rates across all groups. Of the three, 28 °C produced the most balanced results, which “underscores the importance of maintaining optimal thermal conditions to improve reproductive efficiency and aquaculture practices.”
Importantly, the study demonstrates that such results can be achieved using a lower hormonal dose than those employed in earlier research-reducing both costs and potential hormonal residues in the system. “These findings highlight the efficiency and practicality of this protocol, particularly in achieving high reproductive outcomes with a significant lower hormone dosage.”
The research was supported by the European Research Council, the Research Council of Norway, and several other European Institutions. The team includes collaborators from Nord University, GenoMar Genetics, both in Norway, the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), in Spain, and the European University at Saint Petesburg, in Russia.
Rererence:
Rbbani, G.; Siriyappagouder, P.; Murshed, R.; Joshi, R.; Nedoluzhko, A.; Galindo-Villegas, J.; Fernandes, J.M.O. Optimization of Nile Tilapia Artificial Breeding Using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Hormone. Methods Protoc. 2025, 8, 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/mps8030057
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