Fish Physiol Biochem. 2026 Jul 24;52(4):126. doi: 10.1007/s10695-026-01753-6.
ABSTRACT
Aquaculture intensification is increasingly recognized as a strategic pathway to fight food insecurity. It is also harnessed to meet the rising global demand for high-quality animal protein. This has led to a growing need for fish seed and a heightened concerned for broodstock nutrition, reproductive efficiency, and quality of seeds. In the present study, reproductive responses of African catfish Heterobranchus bidorsalis broodstock were evaluated at graded levels of ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (EMOLE) as a phytogenic feed additive. A total of 84 broodstock (800.00 ± 150.00 g) were randomly assigned to 4 isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) diets containing 0.0% (control), 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0% EMOLE in a completely randomized design with three replications. Fish were fed at 5% body weight, twice daily for 16 weeks. Reproductive indices assessed included milt motility, sperm morphology, milt volume and concentration, gonadosomatic index, egg diameter, fecundity, fertilization rate, hatching rate, and hatchling survival. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance at α 0.05, using SPSS 20 software. Results showed that dietary EMOLE significantly improved reproductive performance. Fish fed 3.0% EMOLE exhibited the highest sperm motility (92.00 ± 2.31%), sperm concentration (225.33 ± 0.02 × 10⁶ ml⁻1), fecundity (6118.00 ± 200.70), fertilization rate (78.63 ± 0.51%), hatchability (78.20 ± 0.67%), and larval survival (78.07 ± 1.27%). Sperm abnormalities were significantly reduced in supplemented groups. These findings indicate that 3.0% EMOLE can serve as a natural phytogenic feed additive for improving gonadal development and reproductive performance in Heterobranchus bidorsalis broodstock. This further places Moringa as a natural, cost-effective phytogenic additive for enhancing broodstock performance and sustainable seed production.
PMID:42496907 | DOI:10.1007/s10695-026-01753-6
