EFFECTS OF EXTRACT OF Piper guineense AND Aframomun melegueta ON THE REPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF Oreochromis niloticus

*¹Ekanem, Albert Philip; ²Okon, Timothy John and ³Obiekezie, A.I.

*¹ Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Calabar, Nigeria

² Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, Nigeria

³Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture University of Calabar, Nigeria

E-mail: alberekanem@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Effects of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guneense on reproductive capacity of Oreochromis niloticus was investigated in three replicates for 90 days. Extracts were incorporated into feed of O. niloticus sub-adult, while normal feed without extracts was used in feeding the controls at 20% body weights daily. A total of 180 fish (135 females and 45) males were stocked in the ratio of 15 females to 5 males. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in reproduction between the fish fed test diets (B and C) and the control (A); less juveniles were recruited in diets containing A. melegueta than in P. guineense. There was a significant (p<0.05) higher GSI in the tests than controls. Mean fecundity was highest in controls than in tests and in diet B than C. Histologically, the gonads showed normal oocytes in the controls and immature and poorly developed oocytes in the tests. Similarly, the testes showed normal development in the control, inflamed testicular cells in the tests. It was concluded that extracts of A. melegueta and P. guineense contain substances capable of reducing reproductive capability in O. niloticus.

Keywords: Piper guineense, Aframomum melegueta, Oreochromis niloticus