Abstract
The effect of dietary aqueous extract of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaf powder on growth and reproductive indices of male catfish, Clarias gariepinus bloodstocks was investigated. Fish fed experimental diets showed significantly improved reproductive indices over the control fish. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) gonadosomatic index was recorded for the fish fed diets of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaf powder compared to fish fed on control diet. These results revealed that supplement diets with medicinal plant (T. occidentalis) improve gonadosomatic index, and reproductive indices of male C. gariepinus broodstocks and this plant has a potential pro-fertility property which can be exploited in fish fingerling production by hatchery operators.
Highlights
Medicinal plants have been used to enhance fertility and research has confirmed pro-fertility effects in some of the herbs tested in animals and fish
These results revealed that supplement diets with medicinal plant (T. occidentalis) improve gonadosomatic index, and reproductive indices of male C. gariepinus broodstocks and this plant has a potential pro-fertility property which can be exploited in fish fingerling production by hatchery operators
There was significant difference (P > 0.05) in gonado-somatic index and milt motility and this reflects in greater improvement in the motility duration of fish fed with diets supplemented with varying inclusion levels of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaf powder when compared with the control
Summary
Medicinal plants have been used to enhance fertility and research has confirmed pro-fertility effects in some of the herbs tested in animals and fish. Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) is cultivated in various parts of southern Nigeria and contains Vitamin C, alkaloids and flavonoids which are phytoestrogens with antioxidant properties. T. occidentalis belongs to the family Curcubitaceae and the powder and ethanolic extracts of the leaves has been credited with aphrodisiac or fertility in animal and men (Salman et al, 2008), and may have similar effects in fish. This herb is a known vegetable which improves spermatogenesis in man (Nwangwa et al, 2007). The leafy vegetables possess anti-microbial and antiviral properties (Nwozo et al, 2004; Olorunfemi et al, 2005)
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