HISTOLOGICAL AND GONADAL CHANGES IN NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMISNILOTICUS) FED TRAGIA BENTHANI LEAF MEAL

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of feeding Tragia benthani leaf meal (TBLM) diets (inclusion levels) on the reproduction (reproductive performance; Fecundity, relative fecundity, ovary weight, size of egg, milt count, motility and volume), histology and growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus for 42 days. Five treatments were used (0g; (control) treatment 1), 10g (treatment 2), 20g (Treatment 3), 30g (Treatment 4) and 40g (Treatment 5). Water volume of 25 litres was maintained throughout the period of the experiment and the fish were fed at 4% body weight per day: at 09:00 hr and 17:00 hr. A reduction in motility duration, milt count, milt volume and fecundity were observed as the treatment level increased (P < 0.05). The histology of the testis of O. niloticus fed 0g (TBLM)/ kg diet showed primary and secondary spermatocytes in the seminiferous tubules; connective tissue is also clearly seen. In the treatment 10g, 20g, 30g,40g of TBLM/kg diet. There were eroded connective tissue and necrosis. The histological examination of ovary in O.niloticus fed 0g of TBLM/kg diet showed normal histology. In 10g, 20g, 30g and 40g of TBLM/kg, O. niloticus showed increase in interstitial cell and abnormal gonadal development. The histology of testis at concentration 10g, 20g, 30g and 40g showed eroded connective tissue, increase in interstitial cell, disintegration in the seminiferous lobule and necrosis.The liver showed normal hepatocyte in the control experiment and focal coagulative necrosis when fed 40g TBLM/kg diet. The histological observation and milt analysis revealed that Tragia benthani leaf meal is effective as fertility inhibitory agent in O.niloticus.