Precocious Induction of Oocyte Maturation and Ovulation in Coho Salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were induced to ovulate 3–5 wk ahead of the normal time using partially purified salmon gonadotropin (SG-G100) alone or in combination with 17αhydroxy 20β dihydroprogesterone (17α-20βP). Treatment with 17α-20βP alone induced final oocyte maturation but not ovulation and was associated with a negative feedback upon endogenous gonadotropin. The most successful treatments consisted of a "priming" injection of 0.1 mg/kg SG-G100 followed within 2–3 d by an injection of either 1 mg/kg SG-G100 or 3 mg/kg 17α-20βP. Ova from the ovulated fish were successfully fertilized. This is the first occasion in which the time of spawning has been controlled in adult migrant Pacific salmon. Key words: coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, induced ovulation, final maturation, SG-G100, gonadotropin, 17α-20β dihydroprogesterone