Evaluation of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Seeds Powder as a Potential Infertility Inducer in Female Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

The challenge of early maturation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), causing overpopulation, poor growth and productivity, has prompted a need of strategy to control its reproduction. Nowadays, medicinal plants are getting importance in aquaculture, as they are safe, effective, locally available and biodegradable. The herb Momordica charantia has been utilized as a nutritional and therapeutic supplement. This plant has a rich historical use across cultures for its impact on uterine functions, including promoting menstruation and inducing abortions. Therefore, this present study was carried out for 90 days to evaluate Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) seeds as a natural infertility inducer and to determine its effects on gonadal characteristics and histology of female Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The experiment was carried-out in an indoor facility under semi-control condition, comprised of a Control group (C) fed only with basal diet, and treatment groups S2, S4, S6, S8, and S10, each supplemented with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10g of Momordica charantia seeds/kg diet respectively, to provide 35% of crude protein required by tilapia. Uniform size, active and healthy fish with an average body weight of 10±1.6 grams, distributed across eighteen fiberglass tanks with triplicates for each treatment. The results revealed a significant effect on growth parameters (WG, SGR and FCR), hematological indices and ovarian antioxidant enzyme. Furthermore, all doses of M.charantia seed significantly decreased GSI and fecundity values (p <0.05) with increasing dietary dosage of seeds. Histological examination showed dose-dependent structural alteration in ovary of all treatment groups. Consequently, the results showed that inclusion of M. charantia seed powder could be effective as infertility inducer in female O. niloticus. Therefore, it seems a possible way to control a vigorous spawning in tilapia thus help to prevent the issue of overcrowding in O. niloticus culture farms.