Abstract

Aim: Main purpose of the study was to investigate the dietary effect of date palm pollen on the reproductive indices in female C. gariepinus broodstocks.

Method and materials:  Female catfish, Clarias gariepinus broodstocks were investigated in 60 days feeding experiments. Five diets were formulated from practical ingredients where the control basal diet (D1) were without P. dactylifera pollen powder and the other diets were added at varying inclusion level of 20, 40, 60,  and 80 g kg⁻¹ P. dactylifera pollen powder respectively (designated as D2, D3, D4, and D5).

Results: Fish fed experimental diets showed significantly improved growth performance and reproductive indices over the control treatment. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) gonadosomatic index was recorded for the fish fed diet of Diet, D5 (80 g/kg date palm pollen) compared to other experimental diets and control diet. The best performance and reproductive indices were achieved in fish fed on dietary D5 (80g/kg) compared to the control.

Conclusion: In conclusion, experimental diets with date palm pollen meal diets enhance growth and improve gonadosomatic index and reproductive indices of female C. gariepinus broodstocks and has a potential pro-fertility property which can be exploited in aquaculture production.

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