Supplementation of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus broodstock feed with katuk extract, turmeric powder, and vitamin C before mating resulted in higher fecundity and produced larvae and juveniles with better growth performance

Increased vitellogenin availability for deposition in oocytes can improve the success of embryonal growth and development and the quality of catfish larvae and juveniles produced. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of katuk extract, turmeric powder, and vitamin C supplementations for eight weeks before mating on the reproductive success of catfish. The results showed that serum estradiol-17β and vitellogenin concentrations, fecundity, egg diameter and weight, and hatching rate were consistently highest in the catfish supplemented with a combination treatment, and were lowest in the control. The highest egg yolk volume in larvae was observed in the catfish supplemented with the combination treatment (1.53 ± 0.13), and the lowest volume was found in the control (0.97 ± 0.03). The hatched larvae were maintained for three days without feeding, and the results showed that the combination treatment had the highest survival rates (52.00 ± 6.93) and the lowest in the control (13.33 ± 6.11). At the age of 30 days, the highest absolute growth and survival rate was found in larvae produced by the combination treatment, and the lowest was found in the control. It was concluded that supplementation with a combination treatment increased estrogen and vitellogenin synthesis by the hepatocytes, thus increasing vitellogenin deposition in the egg and increasing follicle recruitment to increase fecundity. The results of the present experiment confirmed that improved vitellogenin synthesis and deposition in the ovulated eggs improved fecundity and egg quality, eventually increasing the numbers and quality of larvae and juveniles produced.