What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to assess the impact of Vitex agnus-castus extract on the growth and health of Nile tilapia.

January 25, 2026Open Access

Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract Supplementation Enhanced Growth Performance, Hemato‐Biochemical Parameters, Intestinal Histomorphometry, Flesh Composition, and Quality of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Key Points

The central aim is to assess the impact of Vitex agnus-castus extract on the growth and health of Nile tilapia.
160 Nile tilapia fingerlings divided into five groups with different VAC extract levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 g/kg).
Fish were fed for 8 weeks to evaluate growth performance and digestive enzymes.
Physiological parameters (hematological and biochemical) were analyzed post-experimental period.
VAC 5 group showed the highest growth performance and improved feed conversion ratio.
Hematological parameters significantly improved in VAC 5 and VAC 10 groups.
VAC supplementation decreased liver enzymes and increased total protein and albumin in fish.
Histomorphometric analysis showed better intestinal structure in fish fed with VAC extract.

Abstract

Plant‐derived extracts offer a promising alternative to synthetic additives in fish feed, with the aim of enhancing growth, health, and sustainable production. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of dietary Chaste tree, Vitex agnus-castus (VAC), on growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzymes, hematological, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal histomorphometry, and flesh composition and quality of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus . A total of 160 Nile tilapia fingerlings were allocated in five equal treatments and fed increasing levels of VAC extract (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg of diet) and referred as control, VAC 5 , VAC 10 , VAC 15 , and VAC 20 , respectively, for 8 weeks. Fish in the VAC 5 group achieved the highest growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). The predicted maximum VAC level supplementation was 9.81 g kg –1 diet as determined by quadratic regression based on growth and feed utilization. The hematological parameters increased significantly in the VAC 5 and 10 groups. Liver function enzymes, glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TGs), and creatinine were significantly decreased, while total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly increased in fish fed VAC 5 and VAC 10 diets. However, total cholesterol (TCH) was significantly increased with VAC supplementation on a level‐dependent basis. Histometric investigation of the intestinal tract revealed a significant improvement in muscular and submucosal thickness, villi length, and width. The chemical composition of the muscle revealed an improvement in protein and dry matter in the VAC 5 group, with decreased water loss during storage, dripping, and freezing. In conclusion, VAC extract can be used as a feed additive in the Nile tilapia diet at levels of 5–10 g kg –1 diet with a positive response in growth, physiological response, and histological architecture.

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Cite This Study

Mehrim et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6975b32bfeba4585c2d6ea48 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1155/anu/2600670

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