Ciência e Tecnologia Veterinária

Comparison Effect of Alcoholic and Non-Polar Extract of Persian Gulf Sea Cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) on Steroid Hormones Levels in Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops)

Abstract

Fahimeh Golestani, Tahereh Naji* and Homayoun Hosseinzadeh Sahaifi

Background: sea cucumber is important aquatics with nutritional and medical properties. Aim: So, the aim of this study was to determine comparison effect of alcoholic and non-polar extract of Persian Gulf sea cucumber on steroid hormones levels in Molly fish. Methods: A total 210 Molly fish were randomly divided into 7 experimental groups (n=30). In Group 1, fish kept as control (without injection). In Group 2, fish injected with ethanol (100 mg/kg, i.m.) for 20 days. In Group 3, fish injected with hexane (100 mg/kg, i.m.) for 20 days. In Groups 4-5, fish injected with alcoholic extract of Persian Gulf sea cucumber (AEPGSC, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.m.) for 20 days, respectively. In Groups 6-7, fish injected with nonpolar extract of Persian Gulf sea cucumber (NPEPGSC, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.m.) for 20 days, respectively. In all groups, the injection was given on alternate days. Then 24 h after the last injection, fish euthanized using PI222 (Pars Imen Daru, Tehran, Iran). The biometric indexes body length (cm) and weight (g) were determined. Then the gonads carried out and the body mass homogenized, body testosterone (ng/ml), β-estradiol (ng/ml), cholesterol (mg/dl) and germ cell index (mm) were determined. Results: According to the results, injection of AEPGSC and NPEPGSC significantly diminished body β-estradiol levels (ng/ml) in the Moly fish compared to control group (P=0.012). Injection of AEPGSC (200 mg/kg) and NPEPGSC (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly diminished body testosterone (P=0.000) and cholesterol (P=0.003) levels in the Molly fish. Conclusion: these results suggest Persian Gulf sea cucumber extract has an effect on the production of steroid hormones in Molly fish.