Comparison of the effect of Haloperidol on changes of the ovarian tissue ultrastructure and the level of the sex steroid hormones in Trichogaster trichopterus

Studies suggest that haloperidol has anti-psychotic effects through the inhibition of dopamine receptors in the nervous system. Morus alba L. leaf extract is also known as an herbal medicine with dopamine blocking effect similar to haloperidol. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of haloperidol and Morus alba L. leaf extract on steroid hormones and ovarian tissue ultrastructure in adult Trichogaster trichopterus fish.

120 pieces of Trichogaster trichopterus adult female fish were obtained from the ornamental fish breeding workshop in Qazvin, and after preparing the aquariums, they were divided into 8 intact control groups and solvent control groups, and three groups of doses of 0.05, 0.1, and 2. 0 mg/kg of haloperidol drug and three groups of doses of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg of Morus alba L. leaf ethanol extract. Injections were done 10 times and every other day in a period of 20 days in the amount of 0.02 ml in the muscle between the dorsal fin and the lateral line of the fish. At the end of euthanasia of the fish, gonadosomatic index, steroid hormones and the ultrastructure of ovarian tissue were investigated in the treatment and control groups.

Haloperidol drug in all doses caused a significant decrease in gonadosomatic index, 17-beta estradiol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone hormones (P<0.05) and had no significant effect on testosterone hormone (P>0.05). While white mulberry leaf extract increased gonadosomatic index and steroid hormones (P<0.05).

By increasing the dose of haloperidol, the level of gonadosomatic index and beta-estradiol decreased, but these effects were not dose-dependent. Also, the administration of , Morus alba L leaf ethanolic extract showed a less harmful effect on the level of sex hormones and gonadosomatic index than haloperidol. Nevertheless, it seems that the dose of 50-200 mg/kg is not sufficient and appropriate dose to observe the sexual effects of mulberry leaf plant and it is better to prescribe higher doses so that the dose-dependent effects can be observed better by increasing the concentration of flavonoids.