Sex-Reversal Effect of Dietary Aloe vera (Liliaceae) on Genetically Improved Farmed Nile Tilapia Fry.

We evaluated the hypothesis that administering dietaryAloe verato sexually undifferentiated fry of genetically improved farmed Nile TilapiaOreochromis niloticusfor 30 d would affect their sex ratio. Five experimental treatments were designed, including a control and 100%A. verapowder incorporated into the feed at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0%. After 30 d of feeding, the experimental diets were replaced with a commercial diet, which was administered to the fish for another 42 d to attain the size at which sex determination was possible. Based on logistic regression analysis, an increase in theA. verainclusion level from 1.0% to 4.0% resulted in a significantly greater percentage of males compared to the control and the 0.5%A. verainclusion level, with the 4.0%A. veragroup presenting potent masculinization effects (67.62% male). However, the survival percentage among fish that received 4.0%A. verawas significantly lower than survival in the other groups. The present results indicate thatA. veraextracts have the potential to be used as sex-reversal agents in Nile Tilapia culture, but additional studies are necessary. Received December 30, 2015; accepted September 4, 2016 Published online December 6, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]