Effects of Methyltestosterone on Food Utilization and Growth of Sarotherodon niloticus Fry

Abstract

Three groups of Sarotherodon niloticus fry were fed for 8 weeks on diets either treated with 17α-methyltestosterone (MT), alcohol (CA), or untreated (CO). Growth rate and food utilization in the different groups were compared. Results indicate that the best growth, Food Conversion Ratio (FCR), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Mean Growth Rate (MGR) were obtained with the MT diet. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in growth and food utilization of the CA and CO fry, nor in the mortality rate of the three treatments. The androgen methyltestosterone promotes growth and protein anabolism without producing toxic effects in S. niloticus.