Productive performance under commercial culture conditions of YY-male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) progeny

Abstract

Background. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most important species worldwide for aquaculture; however, the use of steroids to masculinize large volumes of fry is seen negatively by the market and environmental groups. The use of the progeny of YY males is a recent alternative that, in theory, allows to maintain the same yields, with the advantage of marketing a product free of hormones. Objective. To evaluate the performance during growth, the gonadosomatic index, the biochemical composition, as well as the percentage of males obtained in the progeny of YY males and compare them against those obtained in a commercially masculinized progeny using flouxymesterone. Methodology. Juveniles produced from a YY male and masculinized juveniles were stocked in external tanks of 3 m2 (in triplicate) and were cultivated for 105 days following a commercial type feeding protocol. Results. No significant differences were detected between both progenies with respect to productive performance during growth, including fillet yield. However, the progeny of YY males showed significantly higher values (P < 0.05) of moisture, ashes and lipids in muscle, as well as in the gonadosomatic index, probably due to the presence of a small percentage of females (8%). Implications. The study contributes to the insertion of YY technology into the commercial culture of Nile tilapia. Conclusion. The performance shown by the progeny of YY males compared to that of a masculinized line is similar in terms of growth, yield and survival; therefore, its implementation in the region could reduce production costs and environmental contamination, thanks to the reduction in the use of hormones.