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posted by mrpg on Thursday June 29 2017, @05:44AM   Printer-friendly
from the protein-is-good dept.

One of the challenges to aquaculture is that reproduction, as an energy intensive endeavor, makes fish grow more slowly. To solve this problem, Prof. Berta Levavi-Sivan at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem identified tiny molecules named Neurokinin B (NKB) and Neurokinin F (NKF) that are secreted by the brains of fish and play a crucial role in their reproduction. Prof. Levavi-Sivan, a specialist in aquaculture at the Hebrew University's Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, then developed molecules that neutralize the effect of NKB and NKF. The molecules inhibited fish reproduction and consequently led to increased growth rates.

These inhibitors can now be included in fish feed to ensure better growth rates. For example, young tilapia fed the inhibitors in their food supply for two months gained 25% more weight versus fish that did not receive the supplement. So far, NKB has been found in 20 different species of fish, indicating that this discovery could be effective in a wide variety of species.

Piscine growth hormone.


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @09:04AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @09:04AM (#532871)

    What's the catch? side effects?

    Um ... one may be that the fish don't reproduce. That may make a difference when relying on them as a food source.