Effects of dietary waterlily (Nymphaea pubescens) stamen extract on growth performance and intestinal morphology of common lowland frog (Rana rugulosa)

Abstract

The effects of diets containing various levels (0, 1, 3 and 5%) of waterlily (Nymphaea pubescens) stamen extract (NPSE) on growth performance and intestinal morphology were investigated in common lowland frog (Rana rugulosa) with an initial weight of 16.09±0.50 g. After 11 weeks of feeding, growth parameters were evaluated. The results showed that the frogs fed with diets supplemented with 3 and 5% of NPSE exhibited significantly higher weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio than frogs fed diets supplemented with 0 and 1% of NPSE (P 0.05). Villi heights, villi widths and the thickness of intestinal muscle layers in posterior intestine were significantly increased in frogs fed the diets containing NPSE (P 0.05). Feeding behavior and feed acceptability of the experimental groups were the same as the control group. The optimal levels of NPSE observed in this present study were ranged between 3-5%. Our findings suggest that NPSE can be applied in the diets as a growth promoter in common lowland frog.