Biology of Reproduction, Vol 24, 734-746, Copyright © 1981 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Impact of Different Dietary Protein Contents on Fecundity and Fertility in the Female Guppy, Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

¹ Department of Animal Ecology, University of Lund, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden

Individual fecundity and reproductive output (number of ova plus vitellogenic oocytes) were significantly higher in groups of guppies (Poecilia reticulata, Peters) given 72% protein compared with females fed on either 53%, 23%, or 15% protein. Ovum diameter and size of vitellogenic oocytes were significantly larger in females exposed to either 72% or 53% protein than in groups fed on 15% protein. Females living on a 72% protein-rich diet showed a significantly higher total body weight, ovarian length, width, height, gonad volume and weight than groups fed on either 23% or 15% protein. Significantly higher values of these variables were also found among females given 53% protein compared with groups fed on 15% protein. Average gonadosomatic index increased with higher protein amounts. Growth was significantly higher in females ingesting 72% protein than in groups fed on either 42% or 23% protein.

Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am grateful to Professor Per Brinck and Dr. Bo W. Svensson of the Dept. of Animal Ecology, Lund, for advice and reading of the manuscript. I wish to thank Mrs. Ingrid Davoust for linguistic examination and typing of the manuscript.