The effect of 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine and 17-α-methyltestosterone on growth and body composition of the glass stage of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L).

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of orally administered 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) or 17-α-methyltestosterone (MT) on growth and body composition of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) during the glass stage.Elvers receiving 20 or 40 ppm of T3 in the food weighed significantly more (P < 0.05) than controls. However, after 61 days of treatment a dosage of 60 ppm was not efficacious.Terminal percentages of body protein were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in elvers that received 20 ppm or 40 ppm T3 in their diets, than in the control. Crude body fat content was higher (P < 0.05) in elvers receiving 20 ppm (29% fat) or 40 ppm (28% fat), than in the controls (26% fat). Compared to the control, diets containing T3 at 20 or 40 ppm increased the body glucose concentration.Glass eels fed a diet containing 1 or 10 ppm MT grew significantly more slowly (P < 0.05) than the controls.Total body protein content was higher (P < 0.05), but total body crude fat content was lower (P < 0.05) in elvers fed a diet with 1 or 10 ppm MT compared to the controls. Total body glucose concentration of elvers administered 10 ppm MT was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the control groups.