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Masculinization of Convict Cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) by immersion in Tribulus terrestris extract

Aquaculture International volume 15, pages 109–119 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

We have examined the effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT), a non-toxic herb, on sex reversal in the Convict Cichlid Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum with the aim of introducing a new environmentally friendly method for masculinization in C. nigrofasciatum. TT is a natural plant product that elevates the testosterone levels in humans and animals. Different concentrations (0.0, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 g/l) of TT extract were tested for their effect on sex reversal in C. nigrofasciatum by immersing newly hatched offspring once weekly for 2 months in TT extract. Of the dosages used in the present study, 0.30 g/l TT was the most effective in terms of masculinization, resulting in a maximum male ratio of 87.23% (P < 0.001). Sex ratios of 79 and 85% at 0.10 and 0.20 g/l TT, respectively, were also significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (P < 0.001). Histological examinations revealed that the testes of fish treated with TT extract contained all stages of spermatogenesis, clearly demonstrating that the administration of TT extract to C. nigrofasciatum stimulated spermatogenesis. Total survival rates in all treatments and the control were uniformly high, ranging from 88.57 to 90% (P > 0.05). We concluded that TT had no negative effect on the survival rate of C. nigrofasciatum. In addition, all groups of TT-treated fish exhibited successful growth acceleration compared to the control group, but only the 0.30 g/l TT treatment significantly improved the growth rate of C. nigrofasciatum. (P < 0.01). Sex reversal in C. nigrofasciatum demonstrated that TT-treated 0-day-old larvae showed successful sex reversal, spermatogenesis and a better growth rate than untreated progenies.

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Acknowledgements

The Mustafa Kemal University supported this study financially. We would like to wholeheartedly thank Dietharmonie, France for providing the TT extract that was used in this study. We also thank Dr. Haydar Fersoy and Dr. Yavuz Mazlum for reading the first draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mustafa Kemal University, 31040, Seinyol Antakya-Hatay, Turkey

    Şehriban Çek & Funda Turan

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya-Hatay, Turkey

    Esin Atik

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  1. Şehriban Çek
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  2. Funda Turan
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  3. Esin Atik
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Correspondence to Şehriban Çek.

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Çek, Ş., Turan, F. & Atik, E. Masculinization of Convict Cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) by immersion in Tribulus terrestris extract. Aquacult Int 15, 109–119 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-006-9071-0

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Keywords

  • Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum
  • Growth
  • Histology
  • Sex reversal
  • Tribulus terrestris