Effects of dietary protein levels on proximate, haematological and leukocyte compositions of &lt;I&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt;

M.U Effiong,A.W Akpan,M.A Essien-Ibok

doi:10.4314/jasem.v23i11.25

Abstract

Study was conducted to evaluate effects of feeding different dietary protein levels on haematological profile and leukocyte population of Clarias gariepinus using net-hapa system. Catfish fingerlings (mean weight 4.50± 0.01g) were randomly stocked at 20 fish per net-hapa (1m3). Five experimental diets with crude protein of 40.00%, 42.50%, 45.00%, 47.50% and 50% were formulated and fed to the fish for 24 weeks. Blood samples were collected and examined for white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HB), haematocrit (HCT) mean corpuscle volume (MCV) mean corpuscle haemoglobin (MCH) mean corpuscle haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Platelet (PLT), leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Results revealed a reverse relationship between haematological indices of fish and dietary protein inclusion levels. The best WBC (207x103count/μl), RBC (4.9x106count/μl), Hb (19.0g/dl), HCT (41.0%), MCV (149.0fL), MCH (49.35pg), MCHC (40.6g/dl) and PLT (134.0 x 103 count/μl)) were presented in fish fed 40% protein diets. Results of leucocyte population did not follow any particular trend. A high positive correlation (r>0.9000; p<0.05) existed between the treatments in RBC, WBC, and Hb. The results conclude that 40% dietary protein inclusion is recommended for C. gariepinus for sound and healthy condition in floating net-hapa system.Keywords: Dietary protein, haematology, leucocyte, catfish health

Highlights

Dietary protein is described as the building block nutrient of the body and is given the most prominent consideration in the formulation of fish feeds
The counts of WBC, RBC, HB, HCT, MCV, MCHC and PLT all decreased with increase in protein concentrations in diets
Signify that there was a positive influence of dietary protein on the hematological profile of catfish

Summary

Introduction

Dietary protein is described as the building block nutrient of the body and is given the most prominent consideration in the formulation of fish feeds. This study was carried out to evaluate effects of different dietary protein levels on haematological parameters and leucocyte population of Clarias gariepinus. Diets Preparation and Fish Rearing: Five (5) experimental diets with varying dietary protein levels namely 40.00%, 42.50%, 45.00%, 47.50% and 50.00% (Table 1) were prepared based on proximate composition of the various feedstuffs.

Results

Conclusion