Effects of dietary aromatase inhibitors on masculinization of rosy barb

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 11; p. e0287934
• Main Authors: Lal, Jham, Biswas, Pradyut, Singh, Soibam Khogen, Debbarma, Reshmi, Deb, Suparna, Yadav, Nitesh Kumar, Patel, Arun Bhai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science 03.11.2023
• Subjects: Analysis; Costs (Law); Cyprinidae; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Health aspects; Identification and classification; Physiological aspects; India
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287934

The objective of this study was to reveal the growth, colouration and gonado-physiological changes due to the exogenous aromatase inhibitor (AIs) in an ornamental fish. 17[alpha]-methyltestosterone (MT) and letrozole (LET) were used as potential AIs. The AI were supplemented with a gel-based feed (LET: 50, 100, 150 and MT: 12.5, 25, 37.5 mg/kg feed) in Rosy barb, Pethia conchonius fry. The fishes were reared in a 45-L glass tank using AI treated gel-based feed for 3 months. Growth in AI-based diets was reduced but the reduction was minimal compared to the control. At 25 mg/kg feed of 17 MT, the highest male proportion (84.72% 6.05%) was recorded, which was significantly higher (P[less than or equal to]0.05) than other groups. L*, a*, and b* values showed that 17[alpha]-MT-fed groups had brighter coloration (P[less than or equal to]0.05). Histological sections showed that LET-17[alpha]-MT suppressed ovarian development, causing atretic oocytes. Testicular development was unaffected. 25 mg/kg-treated feed increased SOD, CAT, GST, and GPX. The AI (MT) at 25 mg/kg gel-based feed could therefore be utilised for musculinization without impacting growth, colour, and antioxidant activity of rosy barb, which serves the entire male population in the ornamental fish sector.