Combined Effects of Dietary Bacillus subtilis and Trans-cinnamic Acid on Growth Performance, Whole Body Compositions, Digestive Enzymes and Intestinal bacteria in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In this study, the combined effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis (BS, 10 7 g/cfu) and different levels (0.025%, 0.050%, 0.075% and 0.150%) of trans-cinnamic acid (CA) on fish growth performance, whole body compositions, digestive enzymes, intestinal bacteria and internal organ index of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Six different experimental groups including control group (C), C+BS, 0.025%CA+BS, 0.050%CA+BS, 0.075CA+BS, 0.150%CA+BS) were established. According to the results obtained, growth performance, whole body compositions and digestive pH were not statistically significant among groups. Further, no significant differences were found between experimental groups in terms of the intestinal enzymes (trypsin, alkaline phosphatase and lipase) and gastric pepsin. Significantly higher levels of intestinal amylase were found in the control+BS, 0.025%CA+BS, 0.050% CA+BS, and 0.075%CA+BS compared to the control and 0.150%CA+BS groups. Moreover, coliform and Enterobacteriaceae counts were highest in the control+B. subtilis and lowest in the 0.150% CA + B. subtilis groups

Effects of zinc exposure on the accumulation, haematology and immunology of Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

Changes in the haematological and innate immune parameters and accumulation in the liver, gill and muscle tissues were investigated in Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus, L.1758), which were semi-statically exposed to several zinc concentrations in vivo. The fish were exposed to low (1 mg L-1), medium (2.5 mg L-1) and high (5 mg L-1) concentrations of zinc for 14 days. In this study, significant changes were seen in the haematological and innate immune parameters of the fish exposed to zinc in comparison to those of the control group (p<0.05) at day 14. In all groups exposed to zinc, a decrease in the erythrocyte count (RBC) and lymphocyte percentage and an increase in hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values and neutrophile percentage occurred (P<0.05). A decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count and an increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values occurred with medium and high concentrations (P<0.05). As per hematocrit (Hct) values, a decrease with high concentrations and an increase with low and medium concentrations were found (P<0.05). In all groups exposed to zinc, a decrease in phagocytic activity was found, and an increase in lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities were observed with medium and low concentrations (P<0.05). A decrease was found in nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity with medium and high concentrations; in the lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities was found with high concentrations (P<0.05). In this study, the highest zinc accumulation rate was found in the liver tissue, and the lowest rate was found in the muscle tissue. Accumulation of zinc metal in the tissues was found to increase directly proportional with the ambient concentration and exposure duration (P<0.05). In conclusion, it was found that exposure of O. mossambicus to Zn concentrations affected haematological and innate parameters adversely. Therefore, these parameters can be used to predict the effect of metals such as zinc on fish populations.Keywords: Zinc, haematology, immunology, accumulation, Oreochromis mossambicusAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(7), pp. 744-75

Enhancement of Growth Performance and Pigmentation in Red Oreochromis mossambicus Associated with Dietary Intake of Astaxanthin, Paprika, or Capsicum

Diets for tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, were supplemented with astaxanthin, paprika, or capsicum to determine their effects on growth performance and pigmentation. Seven isonitrogenous (37% crude protein) and isoenergetic (18 kJ/g) diets were formulated to contain 40 or 60 mg carotenoid per kg diet. Triplicate groups of 210 fish were stocked in 21-l plastic boxes and fed one of the three experimental diets or the control diet for 45 days. Significantly better final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion ratio were obtained with the diets containing 40 or 60 mg/kg paprika than with control diet (p<0.05). In general, the carotenoid-supplemented diets significantly increased the values of redness (a*), yellowness (b*), and chroma (C*), and decreased the values of lightness (L*) and hue (Hoab) on the tail, body, and head areas (p<0.05). Results show that paprika or capsicum oleoresin can be used as an alternative natural carotenoid source in O. mossambicus diets to ensure good pigmentation, better growth, and feed utilization

Effects of Cumin-Supplemented Diets on Growth and Disease (Streptococcus iniae) Resistance of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

The effects of dietary cumin (Cuminum cyminum) as a feed additive on growth performance and disease resistance of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were studied. Five isonitrogenous (37% crude protein) and isocaloric (18.6 kj/g) diets were formulated to contain 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% cumin. Fifteen aquaria (80 l) were stocked with 15 fish (0.56±0.02 g), each, and fish were fed one of the five diets for 75 days. The cumin supplementation did not affect the feed conversion rate (FCR) or specific growth rate (SGR). Cumulative mortality was 60% in fish fed the 0% control diet and challenged with Streptococcus iniae. However, in fish fed the 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% supplemented diets, mortality was only 10.42%, 31.25%, and 37.50%, respectively. In conclusion, a dietary cumin level of 1% provides the best survival rate for tilapia, O. mossambicus, without adversely affecting growth performance or feed utilization

Effects of herbal supplements on growth performance of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Change in body composition and some blood parameters

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary thyme (Thymus vulgaris), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as feed additives on growth performance, proximate composition and ammonia excretion of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Four isonitrogenous (48% crude protein) and isocaloric (21 kj/g) diets were formulated to contain 0% (control) or 1% of thyme, rosemary or fenugreek. The thyme supplementation significantly increased protein efficiency ratio, fillet protein levels, protein and energy retentions (P<0.05). The medicinal herb additives did not change serum urea, uric acid, creatinine and ammonia excretion rate (P>0.05). The results indicate that dietary thyme improved the protein and energy retentions of sea bass

Dietary supplementation of olive leaf extract increases haematological, serum biochemical parameters and immune related genes expression level in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) juveniles

The present study investigated the effects of dietary olive leaf (Olea europea L.) extract (OLE) on some blood parameters and immune (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-8) related genes in different tissues (head kidney, liver and spleen) and resistance of common carp, Cyprinus carpio to Edwardsiella tarda. Five diets were prepared for fed fish (mean body weight 15.90 +/- 0.93 g) with different rates of OLE (0.0\%, 0.1\%, 0.25\%, 0.50\% and 1.0\%). A control diet was prepared non-supplemented with OLE. Increased haematocrit ratio, serum myeloperoxidase activity, immune response gene levels (IL-1 beta in head kidney tissue and TNF-alpha in spleen tissue) and survival rate against E. tarda particularly in the 0.1\% OLE treatment group. In conclusion, results of the present study show that feeding common carp with a diet containing 1 g/kg OLE over a period of 60 days might be adequate to improve fish immune parameters, and survival rate against E. tarda. Therefore, OLE can be used as a dietary additive to prevent E. tarda in common carp

The use of Avena sativa extract against Aeromonas hydrophila and its effect on growth performance, hematological and immunological parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

In this research the effects of oat Avena sativa extract on the non-specific immune system of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined. For this purpose, the fishes (average weight 9.91 ± 1.52 g) were fed with 5 g kg −1, 10 g kg −1 and 20 g kg −1 oat extract supplemented diets for 60 days. Following 60 days of feeding, the fishes were injected with Aeromonas hydrophila and mortalities were recorded. Lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activity, improved in all groups that received feed supplemented with oat extract. Serum glucose and cholesterol decreased while total protein and albumin in fish increased with the use of the diet supplement with oat extract. Haemoglobin (Hb), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased with diet supplemented with oat extract. Oat extract at the concentration of 10 g kg−1 showed significantly higher relative percentage survival (67%) when compared with the control against A. hydrophila injection. Also the dietary supplementation with oat extract caused a significant increase in growth parameters (final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), when compared to non-supplemented control basal diet. The results suggest that A. sativa extract can be used as a feed supplement to enhance fish immune response and disease resistance against A. hydrophila