Abstract
Naturally breeding fish cannot meet the demand of humans. So induced breeding is essential to fulfill this demand. Induced breeding ensures a timely supply of fish seeds having desired characteristics and different techniques can be used for this purpose. In this perspective synthetic hormones, extracts of pituitary hormones, Gonadotropin-releasing hormones, and sometimes Human chronic gonadotropin are used as a spawning inducer for fishes. Plant extracts can also be used as it is a new technique which could be used in aquaculture. The basic aim of our study was to enhance the growth as well as to check the effect of the traditional herb Foeniculum vulgare on the reproductive performance of Poecilia reticulata.
 Methodology: Samples were collected from a local fish shop in Sargodha. Ethanolic extract of Foeniculum vulgare seeds was prepared and mixed with different commercial feed. This feed was given to fish for 90 days to test the effect of Foeniculum vulgare seed extract on growth and reproduction performance. Water quality parameters were also maintained and recorded daily. Fecundity and Gonad somatic index were measured after dissection by removing the ovaries. Fecundity was calculated by counting the number of larvae and eggs seen with the naked eye. The hatching rate was measured by counting the number of hatching in each spawning.
 Results: According to the growth results, different levels of fennel seed extract has a significant effect on weight gain, length gain and survival rates of the fish in different groups. Statistical analysis cleared that T2 showed the highest weight and length gain. The feed Conversion Ratio decreased significantly. Results of reproduction parameters showed that the highest absolute fecundity (9.4 ± 0.19), GSI (8.69 ± 0.2) and spawning have increased in T2 followed by T1, T3, and control respectively. The observation of present research shows that Foeniculum vulgare seed extract can act as an estrogenic compound and growth promoter in commercial aquaculture.
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