EFFECT OF AFRICAN FAN PALM (Borassus aethiopum) MEAL ON MILT QUALITY OF Clarias gariepinus BROOD STOCK

Abstract

Farmers are faced with challenges of fingerlings production and over the years plant source have been use to improve reproductive performance of animals. African Fan Palm Meal (AFPM) phytochemical analysis showed that steroid had 0.94g/mg, Saponin 1.20g/mg, Tanin 0.88g/mg, Anthraquinones 0.52g/mg, Flavonoids 0.52g/mg, Oxalate 0.30g/mg.  The effect of processed AFPM on the reproductive indices of Clarias gariepinus brood stock was evaluated. Feed was formulated at 35% CP and divided into five treatments based on the inclusion level of AFPM. 60 male brood stock with mean weight of 618g were randomly distributed in concrete tanks (2 x 2 x 1) m at twelve fish/tank. Processed African Fan Palm meal was included into the brood stock diet at 0,0.5.1.0,1.5, and 2.0g/kg, designated into five treatment (D1,D2,D3,D4 and D5) and fish were fed for 56days.The results revealed a significant different in the milt volume and weight gain of testes with treatment D5having the highest recording of milt volume  (3.60ml) weight of right lobe (4.75g) and left lobe (2.92g). The sperm quality of brood stock fed different inclusion levels showed significant different with total motile sperm (TMS) highest level in D₂ (70), while the other treatments had 60 each. The sperm count increased with increasing inclusion levels, D5 had the highest sperm count (394 x 10⁶). The study shows that African Fan Palm Meal inclusion in brood stock fish feed will boost reproductive indices of male Clarias gariepinus.