The use of hormones to induce gamete maturation (ovulation and spermiation) and spawning in fishes is crucial to the success of many aquaculture and wildstock fisheries programs. Gamete maturation can be induced by a variety of hormones. However, because of its high biological activity and low species specificity, one synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (LHRHa) is now a candidate for approval for the above-described use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under INAD #8061.

The primary goal of field studies conducted under INAD #8061 is to generate data to help determine appropriate LHRHa treatment regimens for inducing gamete maturation in a variety of cultured and wildstock fish species. 

LHRHa is an analogue peptide spawning agent. If the intended use is to treat food fish, or fish for release, then it must be used according to the FDA's guidelines for Investigational New Animal Drug Application (INAD) #8061.  More information including INAD application forms, study protocols, study summaries, etc can be obtained from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's office of Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Program (AADAP).  The AADAP office has streamlined the INAD process and the staff there are very helpful. If you are interested in using LHRHa to treat food fish, or fish for release, please contact the AADAP office which can be accessed at:http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap/lhrha.htm 

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