Abstract
The potential effects of cacao bean meal, Theobroma cacao L., (CBM) on the growth, health status, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant, immune status, physiological parameters, female reproductive performance, and gonadal histological features of fantail goldfish (Carassius auratus, L.) were evaluated using a complete randomized block design with sex as a block. The trial lasted for 60 days. A total of 54 healthy fantail goldfish (36 broodstock females and 18 broodstock males) were randomly allocated into three treatments with supplementation of three levels of cocoa powder 0, 5, and 10 g kg-1 diet, CBM0, CBM5, and CBM10, respectively, with the sex ratio being four females:two males per replicate. The body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of males were increased in the CBM10 treatment (p < 0.05). The CBM10 diet improved relative feed costs (p < 0.05). Females fed on the CBM10 diet had an increase in the serum level of total protein (p = 0.001). Females fed on a diet supplemented with CBM5 showed a decrease in the serum level of triglyceride compared to females fed on CBM0 and CBM10 diets (p = 0.03). CBM10 diet increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of fish compared to CBM0 and CBM5 diets (p = 0.004). Serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were significantly increased in males fed on the CBM10 diet. The female reproductive performance was improved by CBM supplementation (p < 0.05). Ovarian histology exhibited increased granulation and follicle numbers after dietary CBM supplementation compared to the control treatment. Therefore, cacao bean meal can be used as a feed supplement in the diets of fantail goldfish for improving the growth, health status, and female reproductive performance, economic efficiency, and gonadal histological structure.
Highlights
Goldfish (Carassius auratus, L.) is one of the most popular fish used as a biological model in many laboratories [1,2]
The final body weight (FBW) and body weight gain (BWG) were significantly increased in the CBM10 diet compared to CBM0 and CBN5 diets (p = 0.001)
The interaction between the cacao bean meal (CBM) level and the sex increased the BWG in males fed the CBM10 diet compared to males fed CBM0 and CBM5 diets (p = 0.02)
Summary
Goldfish (Carassius auratus, L.) is one of the most popular fish used as a biological model in many laboratories [1,2]. Herbal preparations aid to motivate gonadal maturation and increase the viability of eggs in female shrimp and spermatogenesis in male shrimp [13]. This improves egg quality and fertility and helps attain viable natural spawners off-season. Tizkar, et al [15] showed that astaxanthin supplementation (150 mg/kg) improved motility, osmolality, sperm concentration, and fertilization rate. In their recent study, Tizkar, et al [16] found that dietary supplementation with higher levels of astaxanthin and β-carotene (150 mg kg−1 ) improved the gonadosomatic index in broodstock goldfish. Another study indicated that dietary supplementation of Carica papaya extract could improve growth and enhance gonadal development in
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