Effect of Replacing Fishmeal with Dietary Pumpkin Meal on the Intestinal Histology of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Twelve ponds were used in this experiment to study the effects of replacing 0, 50, 75, and 100% of fishmeal with pumpkin meal in the diet on certain intestinal histological parameters of the Nile tilapia. Each treatment was replicated in three ponds, and the experiment was conducted over 60 days. The Nile tilapia fingerlings (average weight 2.41g) were transferred to the experimental ponds at a rate of 50 fingerlings per pond.
At the end of the experimental period, there were no statistically significant differences in survival rates among the fish fed the different experimental diets. Examination of the intestinal tissue revealed that the control group had mature villi, a well-developed muscle layer, and normal goblet cells. The group receiving 50% pumpkin meal showed very long and branched villi with abundant goblet cells, while the 75% pumpkin group exhibited mature villi and a high number of goblet cells. These findings indicate an increase in absorption, which was reflected in weight gain for this group. The 100% pumpkin meal group also displayed mature villi, a thick muscle layer, and abundant goblet cells on the surface of the mucous membrane.