The use of plant extracts to control tilapia reproduction: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract

Control of prolific reproduction is vital for a profitable tilapia aquaculture enterprise. All-male tilapia culture is a popular method used to control prolific breeding, because the male individuals grow faster than female and mixed-sex populations. Presently, most farmers use 17α-methyl testosterone (MT) to produce all-male tilapia individuals, although synthetic hormones are linked to human health and environmental risks. Recently, considerable attention has focused on plant-based products as alternatives to MT, because they are affordable, safe, and eco-friendly. Despite the growing interest in using plant extracts to prevent frequent spawning in tilapia production, the available information is not collated to standardize application guidelines. Accordingly, this review article consolidates existing knowledge on the use of plant extracts to control prolific breeding in tilapia culture systems. In addition, limitations to commercial application of the extracts are identified. To date, seed, root, and leaf extracts of 20 plant species, most notably, Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna pruriens, and Carica papaya, exhibit potential for controlling unwanted breeding in tilapia production systems. The extracts are mainly administered orally, incorporated in fish feeds. Saponins and flavanoids are the main bioactive compounds in the phytoextracts,

Use of medicinal plants as feed additives in the diets of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the African Sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Southern Africa

“…It has been shown that some compounds found in plants could control reproduction in tilapia (12). Plants contain androgenic compounds, which have been reported to disrupt the reproductive cycle in fish (71)(72)(73)(74). Phytoandrogens such as testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone have been shown to reverse the sex of fish (74), which can thus be used to reduce unwanted reproduction in tilapia.…”

“…Plants contain androgenic compounds, which have been reported to disrupt the reproductive cycle in fish (71)(72)(73)(74). Phytoandrogens such as testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone have been shown to reverse the sex of fish (74), which can thus be used to reduce unwanted reproduction in tilapia. Most of the phytochemicals (i.e., such as steroids, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins) found in plants inhibit enzymes required for the production of sex hormones (74).…”

“…Phytoandrogens such as testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone have been shown to reverse the sex of fish (74), which can thus be used to reduce unwanted reproduction in tilapia. Most of the phytochemicals (i.e., such as steroids, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins) found in plants inhibit enzymes required for the production of sex hormones (74). This is known to block the synthesis and activities of testosterone or estrogens (12).…”

The Effects of Different Dosages of Pasak Bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) towards The Sex of Betta Fish Embryo

“…The results of analysis of variance showed that embryos soaked in pasak bumi extract had no effect on egg hatchability because the calculated F value < F table (< 0.05). The presence of pasak bumi extract added to each treatment did not affect the embryos to hatch because the pasak bumi extract used was not carcinogenic [16] other than that the pasak bumi extract given in each treatment was safe for the aquatic environment in the immersion container so that does not interfere with the growth and development of the embryo until it hatches [17].…”

“…The more concentration of pasak bumi extract may effect the higher percentage survival of fish for pasak bumi extract as natural ingredient is not harmful toward the water quality [23] in addition, the role of pasak bumi extract in betta fish is not only to increase testosterone production but also to help improve the immune system. immune system and fish growth performance [17].…”