Evaluation of the Safety and Gross Pathology of a Sucrose Based Excipient Intended to Deliver Time-Released Spawning Peptides in Warmwater Marine Fish

Currently, the only commercially available slow-release spawning peptides to induce gonad maturation and ovulation in warm water marine finfish are configured as cellulose-based implants. These implants have led to side effects during and post injection. We investigated a novel proprietary time-released spawning peptide to hormonally control spawning in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). We assessed the safety and adverse effects of these implants, specifically if the placebo caused a reaction and/or pathology at the site of injection. Red drum (n = 20) were administered 0.1 mL of the excipient by injection into the right dorsal musculature between the first and second dorsal fins and a second 0.1 mL injection of the excipient was administered to the intra-coelomic cavity. Fish were then euthanized 8 days post injection and injection sites were observed for adverse reactions resulting from injections. Survival of all fish was 100% post injection and only 25% of the fish injected showed effects of injections.