The growth response of diploid (2n) and thermally-induced triploid (3n) coho salmon to injected recombinant porcine somatotropin was examined over a 10 week period. All treatments were under-taken using replicate groups of 25 animals per group. Control 2n and 3n replicate groups grew at identical rates throughout the period of study, although 3n fish exhibited lower condition factors. Recombinant poreine somatotropin treated 2n and 3n fish responded positively to therapy and, by week 4 of the trial, expressed significantly greater increases in both weight and length (p < 0.01) when compared to controls. At the end of the study period, soinatotropin treated animals had gained approximately twice the amount of weight of controls. Food conversion efficiencies were greater in treated salmon, regardless of ploidy state. This relationship also extended to weight and length specific growth rates. The economic benefits of commercial application of recombinant porcine somatotropin therapy to triploid Pacific salmon culture are discussed.
