The recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) was administered to the oliver flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, to know the effects and optimal administration frequency and dosage of the hormone. The experiment was conducted with three different treatment...
The recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) was administered to the oliver flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, to know the effects and optimal administration frequency and dosage of the hormone. The experiment was conducted with three different treatment groups (A, B and C) designated based on the duration and administration frequency of rBST and one control (D) from April 14, 1996 to March 16, 1997. The fish of hormone treated groups grew 7.86 to 10.07% (47.45 to 60.75 g in weight) better than the control at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). No significant differences in their growth were detected among treatment groups. The distinct growth improvement was recognized four weeks after completion of the first four hormone administration. When considering water temperatures measured from the experimental tanks, the effect of rBST on the flounder was greater during the period showing relatively lower temperature. The survival rates were higher in treatment groups than in the control, revealing 98.3% (A), 98.4% (B), 97.7% (C) and 93.1% (D) during the first stage of culture; 92.7% (A), 91.3% (B), 86.7% (C) and 80.0% (D) during the second stage of culture.