Effects of dietary cecropin on growth, non‐specific immunity and disease resistance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus). (17th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Xin; Chen, Wenyan; Lin, Shimei; Luo, Lin
• Is Part Of: Aquaculture research. Volume 46:Number 12(2015)
• Page Start: 2999
• Page End: 3007
• Publication Date: 2014-04-17
• Subjects: cecropin -- growth -- non‐specific immu nity -- disease resistance -- Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus; Aquaculture -- Periodicals; Fishery management -- Periodicals; 639.8
• DOI: 10.1111/are.12457
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-557X

Abstract

Abstract: An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary cecropin on growth performance, non‐specific immunity and disease resistance of hybrid tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus ). A basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 75, 150 and 225 mg kg −1 cecropin to formulate four experimental diets. The results showed that final body weight and specific growth rate obtained with diet 150 mg kg −1 cecropin were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than that obtained with diets 0 and 75 mg kg −1, whereas there was no difference between 150 and 225 mg kg −1 . Feed conversion efficiency was improved by increasing the dietary cecropin content ( P < 0.05). However, feeding intake was reduced as dietary cecropin increased. Serum lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly increased with the increased levels of dietary cecropin ( P < 0.05), and reached a maximum at level of 150 mg kg −1 cecropin, then those values no longer increased. Moreover, the dietary cecropin supplementation level also exhibited a decrease in the cumulative mortality rates compared with the controls when challenged with Aeromonas veronii . The results suggested that the dietary supplementation of cecropin could improve the growth, non‐specific immunity indicators and resistance of hybrid tilapia against A. veronii .