Effect of Dietary Energy Level on Some Reproductive Characteristics of Clarias jaensis Female (Boulenger, 1909), an Endogenous Species from Cameroon

Abstract

To determine the level of food energy necessary for a good sexual maturation of Clarias jaensis females in captivity, 180 post fingerlings with average weight of 96 ± 7g were submitted in triplicates to four experimental isoproteic (40 % crude protein) diet with 3000, 3100, 3200 and 3300 Kcal/kg of energy. The study took place at the Application and Research Farm of the University of Dschang for 4 months. At the end of the test, 12 females presenting the sexual maturity characteristics (bloated belly containing mature oocytes) from each group were sacrificed. The results showed that FSH (0.81 ± 0.35 mlU/ml) and LH (0.66 ± 0.23 mlU/ml) were higher at 3100 Kcal/kg while the higher concentration of estradiol (450,00 ± 109,86 pg/ml), the higher weight of ovaries (31,88 ± 6,86g) and the higher rate of mature female (75%) were recorded with 3000 Kcal/kg. Other reproductive characteristics such as ovarian biochemical characteristics, GSI, HSI and oocyte characteristics were also better with lower energy diets. In conclusion, females with the best reproductive characteristics were obtained with low energy rations.