Subfertility effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on reproductive performance of Pseudotropheus acei

This study was conducted to determine the effect of turmeric powder dietary supplementation on the histology of visceral organs and reproductive performance of Pseudotropheus acei. The fish were fed dietary additions of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% turmeric powder. Each treatment was replicated three times. There were one male and four female fish with a mean weight of 6 g in each replicate. The fish were fed ad libitum for 90 days. There were no differences in fertility rate, fecundity rate, hatching rate, egg diameter, and larvae survival rate among groups (P < 0.05). Ovulation frequency and the percent of spawning broodstock were less in the 7% and 5% turmeric-supplemented group (P < 0.05), while there were no effects of treatment in the 1%, and 3% groups compared with the control group. Observations in histopathological examinations indicated there were normal tissue structures in the control, 1% and 3% turmeric-supplemented groups, while the addition of 5% and 7% turmeric induced a degeneration of and decrease in number of observable ovarian follicles. In addition, there was a normal liver structure in the control and the 1% and 3% turmeric-supplemented groups and slight to severe lipidosis in the 5% and 7% turmeric-supplemented groups. Also, the supplementation of larger amounts of turmeric induced enteritis and the slight to severe side effects on the relevant organs. These results indicate that supplementing of diets with turmeric powder in amounts of 5% and 7% suppressed ovarian follicle development, and extended periods between times of spawning which resulted in subfertility of broodstocks.