Effects of Dietary Propolis and Pollen on Growth Performance, Fecundity and Some Hematological Parameters of Oreochromis niloticus

This study aimed at identifying the effects of propolis and honeybee pollen (HBP) on growth performance, fecundity and some hematological indices of liver and kidney functions of Nile tilapia ''Oreochromis niloticus'' supplemented with 2.5% of propolis or HBP in diet for 21 days. The results showed that dietary propolis or HBP significantly (P<0.05) improved Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Feed Efficiency ratio (FER). Propolis significantly (P<0.0001) increased the percentage of O. niloticus with ripened eggs. Microscopically, the ovaries were seen to contain a large number of oocytes >4 mm in the treated groups. In male, HBP feeding significantly (P<0.05) increased testicular weight, gonadosomatic index and improved the semen quality. Nevertheless, propolis treated males showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in head abnormalities among all groups. Sections from the testes of HBP-fed group appeared highly active and showed accumulated sperms in seminiferous tubules. Propolis or HBP significantly (P<0.001) decreased the serum ALT. Concluding that, supplementation of fish diet with either propolis or honeybee pollen is promising a beneficial effect for fisheries due to its potential improving effect on the growth rate and fecundity and preserving some biochemical indices of liver and kidney functions of O. niloticus.