Effects of aflatoxin B(1) on reproductive performance of farmed Nile tilapia

This study evaluated the effect of dietary aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) on growth, milt and egg quality in matured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Triplicate groups of Nile tilapia (initial body weight 24.1 ± 2.6 g) were fed with either of four diets (Diets 1 to 4) designed to contain 0, 20, 200 and 2000 μg AFB(1) kg(−1) diets for 24 weeks. After 24 weeks of AFB(1) exposure, growth was significantly (P <0.05) different between the control and the AFB(1) exposed treatments in both sexes. No significant differences were observed in 17β-oestradiol, absolute fecundity, oocytes volume and diameters between AFB(1) exposure groups and the control group. However, we observed a significant reduction in relative fecundity and gonad somatic index (GSI) in females fed 2000 μg AFB(1) kg(−1) diet. On the other hand, we observed significant differences (P <0.05) in gonadosomatic index (GSI), testosterone, milt count and motility between males in the control group and AFB(1) treatments. We conclude that rearing Nile tilapia with aflatoxin-contaminated diets for a prolonged period affects milt quality, fecundity (at higher doses) and growth performance. This implies that for optimal seed production, provision of aflatoxin free diets should be part of the management practices in Nile tilapia hatcheries.