| Abstrakt: |
Growth and immune status of monosex Nile tilapia produced through dietary treatment with solvent extracts of four plant materials were analysed. Nile tilapia juveniles (mean weight 0.025 ± 0.009g) were fed diet containing 17α‐methyltestosterone (10 mg/kg feed, MT), Basella alba leaf ethanol extract (1.0 g/kg feed, EB), Tribulus terrestris seed ethanol extract (2.0 g/kg feed, ET), Mucuna pruriens seed methanol extract (0.2 g/kg feed, MM), Asparagus racemosus root methanol extract (0.2 g/kg feed, MA) for 30 days followed by basal diet for 90 days. The control group was fed basal diet for 120 days. MT, EB, ET and MA showed significantly (p <.05) higher male (%), final weight (g), final length (mm), weight gain (g), specific growth rate (%) compared with control and MM. EB and MA showed significantly (p <.05) better immunostimulatory (phagocytic, lysozyme activities, respiratory burst), haematological, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity compared with other treatment groups. MT, EB, ET and MA showed significantly (p <.05) higher level of GH, IGF‐1 and 11‐KT compared with control and MM. The growth and health promoting, and immunostimulating efficacy of plant extracts may be attributed to the presence of steroidal saponins and polyphenols in them. EB and MA were more potent in growth promotion, immunostimulation and adaptogenic potential compared with other two plant materials. These two plant materials may be used as an environment friendly safe alternative to MT for production and culture of monosex Nile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
