The present study aims to investigate the effects of methyltestosterone on monosex
farmed tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus by detection of apoptosis, micronucleus and alterations of erythrocytes.
Fishes were obtained from four localities (Assiut as a control and Beheira, Alexandria
and Kafr EL-Sheikh; three farms from each governorate as farmed monosex produced using
methyltestosterone). Blood smears were processed for Hematoxylin and eosin technique. The major
alterations recorded in the red blood cells were as swelled cells (Sc), tear drop-like cells (Tr), and
sickle cells (Sk). Also, a significant difference (P 6 0.001) between three governorates and Assiut
was recorded in the micronucleus test, apoptosis and altered erythrocytes. These alterations are considered
as an indication for performance and health of fish in the monosex culture medium indicating
the side effects of overdose induction of MT.