Antifertility, antioxidants and hemo-immunological effects of Jantar (Sesbania sesban) powder on Oreochromis mossambicus

Abstract

Tilapia is the second most culturable fish after carps. However, wild tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) poses a significant danger to the freshwater system especially in aquaculture due to its rapid breeding. About 75% of the published research indicates the detrimental effect of tilapia’s introduction in aquaculture. Similarly, hormonal administered mono-sex tilapia is also not satisfying the consumer’s demand due to its potential hazardous effects. Therefore, this study is executed to explore the antifertility and growth-promoting effects of the medicinal plant Sesbania sesban in O. mossambicus. A 90-day feeding trial in a replicate of three was conducted in an indoor facility under semi-control conditions. Uniform size, active fry of O. mossambicus, average body weight 1.7± 0.4g were equally distributed in 21 glass aquaria (13 fry/aquarium) having well-aerated water. The aquaria were randomly divided into 7 groups, one group (C) was fed 40% crude protein basal diet while others, each of three groups (S1, S2, S3 and R1, R2, R3) were fed a basal diet fortified with graded level i.e., 12.5, 25 and 50g per kg diet of S. sesban seed and root powdered. Initially, fish were provided feed at the rate of 7% body weight, three times a day. Afterward, based on the body weight, feeding frequency and ratio was changed. Results indicated a dose-dependent significant effect of both seed and root of S. sesban on the growth performance of O. mossambicus. However, all pairwise comparisons among groups indicated the most significant effects of S. sesban seed compared to roots. The S3 group showed the highest weight gain and SGR and the lowest FCR. In addition to these S sesban supplemented diet also showed significant (P>0.05) dose-dependent positive effects on blood indices i.e., S3 group showed the highest RBCs and WBCs count, hemoglobin level, HCT%, MCV, MCH, MCHC; and status of antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD, CAT, and the lowest LPO level. However, metabolic enzymes, AST, ALT, and LDH did not show any significant difference among the treated groups and control group. Both seed and root of S. sesban showed dose-dependent negative effects on the GSI of both male and female fish. In male, both roots and seeds at higher doses showed statistically similar effects, i.e., 92% decrease in GSI as compared to the control group. However, in females, the roots of S. sesban showed the most significant effect on the GSI, in contrast to plant seeds. The GSI of the R3 group was 94.6% decreased as compared to control, while the S3 group showed 89.8% reduction in GSI. Serum testosterone level also showed a dose-dependent decrease in response to both roots and seeds of the S. sesban plant. However, at higher dosage levels, in contrast to roots, seeds of plants most significantly reduced the testosterone level. Based on results, the S.sesban plant could be recommended for improving the growth, health status, and controlling the reproduction of O. mossambicus