Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum (HP), Origanum vulgare (ORG), and Melissa officinalis (MOF) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles. Fish (16.92 ± 0.28 g) were randomly divided into seven groups fed on diets with 0 % (CTR), and two levels (0.2 % and 0.5 %) from each plant extract for 60 days. Final body weight, weight gain %, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in the groups fed with ORG and MOF at 0.5 % (P < 0.05). Moreover, ORG 0.5 % and MOF 0.5 % groups showed a significant increase in RBCs and WBCs counts as well as the hematocrit and hemoglobin values (P < 0.05). Besides, significant enhancement was noticed in the levels of intestinal digestive enzymes in the MOF 0.5 % group (P < 0.05). Activities of hepatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase were significantly improved, meanwhile, the hepatic malondialdehyde levels were significantly decreased in all groups fed on phytogenic diets compared to the CTR group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ORG 0.5 % and MOF 0.5 % groups showed a significant increase in serum total protein, and alternative complement activity (ACH50) (P < 0.05). Attractively, serum lysozyme levels were significantly increased while serum endotoxin values decreased in all groups fed on phytogenic diets. Furthermore, the MOF 0.5 % group showed the highest activities of skin mucus lysozyme, ACH50, and protease (P < 0.05), meanwhile mucosal total immunoglobulins were the highest in ORG 0.5 % and both levels of MOF. ORG 0.5 % and MOF 0.5 % groups showed the highest protection levels of fish following challenge with pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila. Conclusively, this comparative study showed that both ORG and MOF extract at a 0.5 % level can effectively improve the growth, health, and immune status of Nile tilapia juveniles.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
