Role of Natural Antioxidant in Improving Nile tilapia Reproductive Performance, Egg Quality, Hatchability, and Health Status

Abstract

As spawning is an energy-consuming process with high risk of oxidative stress, the present study aimed to evaluate supplementation with Moringa oleifera leaf powder on production and reproductive performance, egg quality, hatchability, antioxidant and immune status, and growth of Nile tilapia broodstock. Six levels of MOLP (0.0, 2.5, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, and 9.0 g/kg) were used for 12 weeks during the spawning season. The experiment was conducted in triplicate concrete tanks (2 × 2 × 1 m) using mature fish (79.4 ± 1.12 g for females and 123 ± 2.22 g for males) at a sex ratio of 1:3 male-to-female and a density of 4 fish/m². The results showed that the growth, feed conversion ratio and gonadosomatic index for both males and females significantly improved with dietary MOLP. The time-to-first spawning and inter-spawning intervals significantly decreased with increasing MOLP levels. The fecundity increased significantly with dietary MOLP compared to the control. Fish fed supplemented diets had higher egg weight, protein content, hatchability rate, and longer yolk-sac absorption time. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in plasma progesterone and protein levels and a considerable decrease in aminotransferase activities. The females in the control group experienced oxidative stress, which was mitigated in the groups fed MOLP-supplemented diets, as indicated by substantial increases in GPx, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities, and lower levels of malondialdehyde and higher immune status. In conclusion, dietary MOLP is recommended as a dietary supplement to enhance the spawning performance, egg quality, and health status of Nile tilapia.