Immunostimulatory effect of mannan-oligosaccharides supplementation diet in milkfish (Chanos chanos)

The current study was designed to examine the impacts of dietary mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth, hemato-biochemical changes, digestive-antioxidant enzyme activity, immune response, and disease resistance of milkfish (Chanos chanos) fed diets contained MOS i.e. 1g, 2g, and 3g MOS. The growth parameters were significantly influence in milkfish fed all MOS diets, whereas the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly influence with 2g or 3g MOS diets. The total protein (TP), globulin (GB), and glucose (GLU) levels, amylase, protease, liver enzymes were found significantly high in fish fed 2g or 3g MOS diets; but, lipase, trypsin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes were increased significantly at 3g MOS diet. All MOS inclusion levels were significantly increased total and Lactobacillus intestinal microflora population. The oxidative enzymes activity as superoxide desmutase (SOD) and catalyze (CAT) were progressively increased with all MOS supplementation diet, but the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content were found significantly high in fish fed 2g or 3g MOS diets. Similarly, the reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione reductase (GR) contents were observed significantly high level in fish fed 3g MOS diet. The phagocytic (PC) and lysozyme (LYZ) activities were found gradually increase in fish fed increasing level of MOS diets, while the respiratory burst (RB) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities were seen significant in fish fed 2g and 3g MOS diets. The current research work confirmed that C. chanos fed diets contained 3g kg^-1 MOS recorded better growth performance, digestive-antioxidant, immune response, and disease resistance.

Immunomulation effect of alginic acid and chitooligosaccharides in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Individual and combined efficacy of chitooligosaccharides (COS) and alginic acid (AA) at 1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per kg diet was assessed on growth and disease resistance in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) against Edwardsiella ictaluri. Growth parameters including specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion rate (FCR) were significant in fish fed 2 g and 3 g kg^-1 of COS or AA, and fish fed combined COS + AA at 1, 2 and 3 kg^-1 diet. In all groups, the survival rate (SR) was recorded 100%, except in group fed 2 g kg^-1 AA diet. All the hematological and biochemical profiles significantly increased in groups fed 2 g and 3 g kg^-1 of COS, AA, and COS + AA diets. Lipase and amylase enzyme activities and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased in fish fed 2 g and 3 g kg^-1 of COS, AA, and COS + AA diet. Respiratory burst (RB), lysozyme (Lyz), reactive oxygen species (ROS) activities, and immunoglobuline (Ig) level were enhanced significantly in fish fed 2 g kg^-1 of COS or COS + AA and all 3 g kg^-1 diets, whereas nitric acid (NO) production and serum AP activity were improved in 2 g kg^-1 COS + AA and 3 g kg^-1 COS or COS + AA diets. Pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-8 mRNA transcriptions was significant in 2 g kg^-1 COS + AA diet and all 3 g kg^-1 diet. The IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine mRNA transcriptions were significant in 3 g kg^-1 COS or COS + AA diets. This study was confirmed that H. molitrix fed with 3 g kg^-1 COS or COS + AA diets were better activity when compared to other diet.

Changes in immune genes expression, immune response, digestive enzymes -antioxidant status, and growth of catla (Catla catla) fed with Astragalus polysaccharides against edwardsiellosis disease

The effect of four level of Astragalus polysaccharides (APs) supplementation diets, (CD: control diet and three experiment diet (E), EA: 100 mg kg^-1 APs; EB: 200 mg kg-1 APs; EC: 300 mg kg^-1 APs) on growth, changes in haemato-biochemical parameters and metabolic-digestive enzymes, enhancement of antioxidant activity, innate-adaptive immune response, and cytokine gene expression were studied in catla (Catla catla) against Edwardsiella tarda. The healthy and challenged groups fed the CD displayed no mortality, while fish fed EA or EC revealed 10% mortality, but the mortality was only 5% in diet EB. Fish fed diet EB and EC revealed significantly better growth rates and high RBC count during the experimental period. Albumin and globulin levels were significant improved when fish were fed the diet EB and EC from weeks 6-8. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significant ameliorated by EB feeding from weeks 4-8. In contrast, serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA)/lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), respiratory burst activity (RBA), bactericidal action (BCA), serum lysozyme activity (SLA), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), head kidney leukocytes response proliferation (HKLP), hemolytic action (HLA), hydrogen peroxides (H₂O₂), and immunoglobulin (Ig) were significantly improved from week 6-8. Groups fed the APs enriched diets had significant ameliorated interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA expression after 6 and 8 weeks of feeding. However, IL-10 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-1 mRNA expressions were significant enhanced in catla fed all APs diets on week 8. APs enriched diets revealed significant improved tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF6) mRNA expression on week 4, but toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) and TLR4 mRNA expression were significant enhanced by diet EB and EC after weeks 6 and 8. Similarly, the lysozyme (Lyz)-C and Lyz-G mRNA levels in the head kidney (HK) increased by APs feeding on weeks 6 and 8, whereas the EB diet, the expression of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-1 (NOD1) was significantly improved on weeks 6 and 8, but NOD2 mRNA expression was only significant enhanced after 8 weeks of diet EB. By feeding healthy catla and E. tarda challenged fish fed diet EB, resulted in significantly increased growth, haemato-biochemical indices, metabolic-digestive enzymes, antioxidant activities, innate-adaptive immune responses, and cytokine gene expression mainly between 6 and 8 weeks.

Dietary plant pigment on blood-digestive physiology, antioxidant-immune response, and inflammatory gene transcriptional regulation in spotted snakehead (Channa punctata) infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The current study addressed to investigate the effect of lycopene (LYC) on blood physiology, digestive-antioxidant enzyme activity, specific-nonspecific immune response, and inflammatory gene transcriptional regulation (cytokines, heat shock proteins, vitellogenins) in spotted snakehead (Channa punctata) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In unchallenged and challenged fish treated with 200 mg LYC enriched diet the growth performance and digestive-antioxidant enzymes increased after 30 days, whereas with inclusion of 100 or 400 mg LYC in the diets, the increase manifested on or after 45 days. No mortality in fish treated with any LYC diet against P. aeruginosa was revealed. In the unchallenged and challenged fish the phagocytic (PC) activity in head kidney (HK) and spleen were significantly enhanced when fed the control diet or other LYC diets, whereas the respiratory burst (RB) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production significantly increased when fed the 200 mg diet for 45 and 60 days. Similarly, the lysozyme (Lyz) activity in the HK and spleen, and total Ig content in serum were significantly higher in both groups fed the 200 mg LYC diet for 15, 45, and 60 days. Heat shock protein (Hsp 70) was significantly improved in the uninfected group fed the 200 mg LYC diet for 45 and 60 days, but Hsp27 did not significantly change among the experimental groups at any time points. TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA pro-inflammatory cytokine expression significantly increased in both groups fed the 200 mg LYC diet after 45 and 60 days, while the IL-12 mRNA expression was moderate in both groups fed the same diet for 60 days. The IL-10 did not significant mRNA expression between groups at any sampling. The iNOS and NF-κB mRNA expression was pointedly high in both groups fed the 200 mg LYC diet on day 45 and 60. Vitellogenin A (VgA) mRNA was significantly higher in the uninfected fish fed the 100 and 200 mg LYC diets for 45 and 60 days, but VgB did not reveal significant difference between the treatment groups at any time points. The present results suggest that supplementation of LYC at 200 mg significantly modulate the blood physiology, digestive-antioxidant enzymes, specific-nonspecific immune parameters, and cytokines, Hsp, and vitellogenins in spotted snakehead against P. aeruginosa.

Study on antioxidant potential, immunological response, and inflammatory cytokines induction of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) in silver carp against vibriosis

Effect of dietary with 100, 200, and 300 mg kg^-1 glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on growth enhancer, blood physiology, digestive-antioxidant enzyme ability, innate-adaptive defense, and inflammatory cytokines induction was studied in silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix against vibriosis caused by Vibrio alginolyticus. Significant weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and 100% survival rate (SR) was attained non-infected health (NiH) fish fed in control or all GA diets on 30, 45, and 60 days. Both NiH and V. alginolyticus challenged (VaC) fish treated with 200 mg GA diet significantly (P < 0.05) exhibited an enhancement in leucocytes value on 30, 45, and 60 days. Albumin (AB) or total proteins (TP) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) better in both groups fed 200 GA on 45 and 60 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also substantial (P < 0.05) in both groups fed 200 mg GA on days 30, 45, and 60; whereas glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly (P < 0.05) better in both groups received 200 mg GA on days 45 and 60. Phagocytic (PC) and lysozyme (Lyz) activities significantly enhanced in both groups fed 200 or 300 mg GA on 45 and 60 days. Respiratory burst (RB), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and immunoglobulin (Ig) production significantly (P < 0.05) increased in both groups administered 200 or 300 mg GA. Growth hormone (GH) mRNA was up regulated in 200 mg GA trial on 45 days and in 200 or 300 mg GA treatments on 60 days. The IL-8 cytokine mRNA expression was up-regulated in both groups 200 and 300 mg GA on days 45 and 60, whereas TNF-α mRNA expression was increased in 200 mg GA. In addition, IL-10 cytokine mRNA expression was up regulated in 200 mg GA on 45 days whereas it was increased in both 200 mg and 300 mg GA trial on 60 days. The present study revealed that feeding fish 200 mg GA per kg diet demonstrated a better growth, digestive-antioxidant activity, innate-adaptive defense, and inflammatory cytokines induction than lower or higher dosage of GA in H. molitrix against V. alginolyticus.

Hepatic antioxidant activity, immunomodulation, and pro-anti-inflammatory cytokines manipulation of κ-carrageenan (κ-CGN) in cobia, Rachycentron canadum against Lactococcus garvieae

The effects of dietary k-Carrageenan (k-CGN) at 10, 20, and 30 g kg^-1 on growth rate, hemato-biochemical indices, innate-adaptive parameters and modification of pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines pathway in cobia, Rachycentron canadum against Lactococcus garvieae is reported. The weight gain (WG) increased substantially (P < 0.05) in all k-CGN treated groups; the specific growth rate (SGR) was significant in healthy uninfected normal (HuN) and L. garvieae challenged (LaC) groups fed with 20 g kg^-1k-CGN diet on 45 and 60 days. The white blood cell (WBC) counts, total protein (TP) level, total anti-oxidant (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) activities increased significantly when fed with 20 g and 30 g kg^-1k-CG diets on 45th and 60th day. The immunological parameters such as phagocytic (PC) index and the activity of phagocytic (PC), respiratory burst (RB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alternate complement pathway (ACH₅₀), and lysozyme (LZM) were significantly enhanced with all k-CG diets in 45 and 60 days of treatment. No cumulative mortality (CM) in HuN group fed by control or any k-CGN diets. CM was 5% in LaC group fed with 20 g kg^-1k-CGN diet whereas in LaC groups fed with 10 g and 30 g kg^-1k-CGN diets the CM was 10%. The interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA transcripts were one-fold high (P < 0.05) in both HuN and LaC group fed all k-CGN enriched diets on 45 and 60 days. Similarly, IL-18 and TLR2 mRNA was one-fold high expression in both groups fed the 20 g and 30 g kg^-1k-CGN enriched diets on 45 or 60 days. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interferon regulatory factor 3/7 (IRF3/IRF7) mRNA transcripts did not change with any diet. IL-6, IL-10, and IL-11 mRNA were one-fold high expressions in both groups fed the 20 g and 30 g kg^-1k-CGN enriched diets on 45 and 60 days. However, the expression of CC1, CC3, and CCR9 pro-inflammatory chemokines mRNA did not vary with any control or k-CGN enriched diets. The results indicate that diet enriched with k-CGN at 20 g kg^-1 significantly influences the growth, antioxidant and innate-adaptive immune performance, and pro-anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines regulation in cobia against L. garvieae.

Influence of bamboo vinegar powder (BVP) enriched diet on antioxidant status, immunity level, and pro-anti-inflammatory cytokines modulation in Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch 1790) against Vibrio anguillarum

Effect of bamboo vinegar powder (BVP) on growth, immunity, disease resistance, and immune-related gene expressions in juvenile Asian sea bass (barramundi), Lates calcarifer against Vibrio anguillarum was investigated. V. anguillarum infected fish fed by 2g BVP kg^-1 diet exhibited significant growth, albumin (AB), serum total protein (TP), and globulin (GB) levels. Similarly, enhanced lysozyme (LZM), phagocytic (PC), anti-protease (AP), respiratory burst (RB), bactericidal (BC) activities and total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were observed in fish fed 2g BVP kg^-1. In addition, use of 2g BVP kg^-1 in diet modulated several immune related gene expressions against Vibrio disease. This study exhibited a positive effect of dietary 2g BVP kg^-1 diet on hemato-biochemical and immunological responses, which enhance the immunocompetence and health status of L. calcarifer against V. anguillarum infection.

Efficacy of ulvan on immune response and immuno-antioxidant gene modulation in Labeo rohita against columnaris disease

This study reports the effect of ulvan enriched diet on the influence of growth, changes in hemato-biochemical indices, improvement of antioxidant system, enhancement of innate-adaptive immunity and modification of immuno-antioxidant genes expression in Labeo rohita against Flavobacterium columnaris. The weight gain (WG) was significantly high (P > 0.05) in unchallenged normal and challenged fish fed with diets enriched with 25 and 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan; the FCR was better (P > 0.05) when fed with 50 mg kg^-1 enriched diet. In normal fish fed with or without ulvan supplementation was noted 100% survival rate (SR). In both groups, the red blood cell (RBC) and while blood cell (WBC) counts increased significantly (P > 0.05) when fed with 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diet whereas the hemoglobin (Hb) level increased significantly on being fed with 25 and 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diets. The SOD activity was enhanced significantly in both groups fed with any dose of ulvan diets whereas the MDA and GPx activity increased only with 25 and 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diets. The phagocytic (PC) activity significantly increased with any enriched diet and control diet groups while the respiratory burst (RB) activity increased only with 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diet. The alternate complement pathway (ACP), activity of lysozyme (Lyz), and immunoglobuline M (IgM) were better in both groups fed with 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diet. The SOD and GPx antioxidant gene expression were significantly high in both groups fed with any ulvan diet while the Nrf2 gene expression was high with 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diet. The IL-1β, TNFα, hepcidin, Lyz, and IgM cytokines or proteins mRNA expression were significant in both groups fed with all ulvan supplement diet whereas the β-2M expression was significant only with 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diet. The present research indicates that both L. rohita groups fed with 50 mg kg^-1 ulvan diet significantly improved growth, antioxidant system, immune defense system, and immuno-antioxidant related gene expression against F. columnaris.

Impact of cinnamaldehyde on innate immunity and immune gene expression in Channa striatus against Aphanomyces invadans

The effect of cinnamaldehyde (CM) enriched diet on immunity and cytokine gene expression in Channa striatus against Aphanomyces invadans is reported. C. striatus was uniformly divided into eight groups (n = 25 fish each) and fed with formulated diets with 0, 5, 10, and 15 mg kg^-1 CM enriched diet. In healthy and infected groups fed with 5 mg kg^-1 diet the leukocytes count increased significantly after 4th week; with 10 mg kg^-1 CM diet the increase manifested after 6th week, but with 15 mg kg^-1 not even after 8th week. In both groups, 5 mg kg^-1 CM diet resulted in a significant increase in the serum total protein, albumin, and globulin levels after 4th week, whereas with other diets this effect was observed only after 6th week. Similarly, with any enriched diet the lysozyme activity increased significantly, but with 15 mg kg^-1 CM diet only after 6th week. In both groups the complement activity and lymphocyte production increased significantly when fed with 5 mg kg^-1 CM diet after 4th week while with other enriched diets only after 6th week. The phagocytic activity increased significantly in both groups fed with 5 mg kg^-1 CM diet after 6th week, whereas the SOD activity increased after 4th week. The IgM production increased significantly in both groups fed with 5 mg kg^-1 CM diet after 2nd week, while with 5 and 10 mg kg^-1 CM diet after 4th week. In both groups, the expression of CXCR3α was significant on 4th week when fed with 10 mg kg^-1 CM diet, while in the healthy group fed with 15 mg kg^-1 CM diet the expression manifested earlier than 4th week. However, when fed with 10 and 15 mg kg^-1 CM diets the increase was observed on 6th week; whereas, the expression of MHC-I reached the maximum on 6th week with any enriched diet. The results indicate that in C. striatus the innate immunity and expression of cytokine and immune related genes were significantly modulated when fed with 5 mg kg^-1 CM diet on 4th week against A. invadans.

Effect of diet enriched with Agaricus bisporus polysaccharides (ABPs) on antioxidant property, innate-adaptive immune response and pro-anti inflammatory genes expression in Ctenopharyngodon idella against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of Agaricus bisporus polysaccharides (ABPs) supplemented diet on growth rate, antioxidant capacity, innate-adaptive immune response, proinflammatory and antiinflammatory genes expression in Ctenopharyngodon idella against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. In both normal and challenged groups fed with 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg^-1 ABPs diets resulted in a significant weight gain and feed intake. The survival was 100% in normal fish fed without or with any ABPs diet; the challenged fish fed with 1.0 mg kg^-1 ABPs diet had 98.6% survival. The RBC and WBC counts, Hb, and Hct levels were significant in both normal and challenged groups fed with 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg^-1 ABPs diets. A significant increase in total protein and albumin level was observed in both groups fed with 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg^-1 ABPs diets. Significant increase in GPx, ROS, GR, GSH, PC, and MnSOD activity was observed in HK of both groups fed with 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg^-1 ABPs diets; similarly both groups when fed with the same ABPs diets showed significant Lz, C3, and C4 activity. However, both groups fed with 1.0 mg kg^-1 ABPs diet showed significant β-defensin, LEAP-2A, IL-6, and NF-κB P65 mRNA expression. Similarly, IFN-γ2, IL-10, and TNFα mRNA expressions were significant in both groups fed with 1.0 mg kg^-1 ABPs diet. The results indicate that both normal and challenged C. idella fed with a 1.0 mg kg^-1 ABPs diet had better growth, antioxidant status, immune response, and pro-anti-inflammatory gene modulation against A. hydrophila.

Impact of grape pomace flour (GPF) on immunity and immune-antioxidant-anti-inflammatory genes expression in Labeo rohita against Flavobacterium columnaris

This study evaluates the effects of dietary inclusion of grape pomace flour (GPF) on growth, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, innate-adaptive immunity, and immune genes expression in Labeo rohita against Flavobacterium columnaris. In both normal and challenged fish the growth rate, hematology and biochemical parameters significantly increased when fed with 200 and 300 mg GPF enriched diets; similarly the activities of antioxidants and innate-adaptive immune parameters, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), phagocytic (PC), respiratory burst (RB), alternative pathway complement (ACP), lysozyme (Lyz), and total immunoglobulin M (IgM) significantly increased in both groups. Similarly, the immune, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory-related gene mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in head kidney (HK) tissues. The challenged fish fed without GPF always exhibited lower values of all the studied parameters. The results indicate that both normal and challenged fish treated with 200 mg GPF inclusion diet had significantly enhanced growth rate, antioxidant status, and immune defense mechanisms than with 300 mg GPF diet in L. rohita against F. columnaris.

Effect of chrysophanic acid on immune response and immune genes transcriptomic profile in Catla catla against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of chrysophanic acid (CA) (2, 4, and 8 mg kg^-1) on the immunity and immune-related gene profile of Catla catla against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. In both control and treated groups fed with 2 mg kg^-1 (2 CA), the phagocytosis, hemolytic, myeloperoxidase content, and superoxide anion production decreased significantly between 6th and 8th weeks, whereas when fed with 4 mg kg^-1 CA (4 CA) the H₂O₂ production and nitric oxide synthase increased significantly between 4th and 8th week. When fed with 2 CA and 4 CA diets, the total protein, bactericidal, and antibody titer increased significantly from the 4th week onwards. When fed with 2 CA, the IL-1β and IL-10 mRNA expression of head kidney leucocytes were significant between weeks 6 and 8. The expressions of toll-like receptors significantly increased when fed with a 4 CA diet from 4th week onwards. The 4 CA group significantly increased in TNF-α, TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (NOD), which influences protein expression, after the 4th week. The mRNA transcription of MHCI, lysozyme-chicken and goose type expressions significantly increased in 4 CA group within the 4th week. In summary, the dietary administration of 4 mg kg^-1 of CA (4 CA) provides better immunity and enhances the up-regulation of immune-related genes in Catla against A. hydrophila.

Dried lemon peel enriched diet improves antioxidant activity, immune response and modulates immuno-antioxidant genes in Labeo rohita against Aeromonas sorbia

The effect of diet enriched with dried lemon (Citrus limon) peel was fed to Labeo rohita at three different levels (0, 1, 2.5, and 5 g kg^-1) for a period of 60 days; the impact of the diet on the hematology, antioxidant activity and immunological reaction and gene expression against Aeromonas sorbia is reported. In both un-challenged and challenged groups treated with 2.5 g and 5 g kg^-1 dried lemon peel diets, the enhanced significant changes are: the weight gain and specific growth rate, white blood cell and total protein content, the antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione activities, the respiratory burst, alternative complement pathway, complement C3, and total immunoglobulin M levels. Similarly, the heat shock protein-70 and -90, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, interleukin-1β and -8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, transforming growth factor beta, and immunoglobulin M were up-regulated significantly. Any dried lemon peel enriched diet increased the phagocytic and lysozyme activities significantly in both groups. In the un-challenged group treated with 0 g kg^-1 diet or in both groups treated with 2.5 g kg^-1 diet the SR was 100%. These results indicate that in both un-challenged and challenged-treated groups the 2.5 and 5 g kg^-1 dried lemon peel enriched diets positively modulate growth rate, physiology, and antioxidant status, innate-adaptive immune response as well as antioxidant and immune related gene expression in L. rohita against A. sorbia.

Effect of symbiotic supplemented diet on innate-adaptive immune response, cytokine gene regulation and antioxidant property in Labeo rohita against Aeromonas hydrophila

Administration of probiotic, prebiotic or symbiotic supplemented diets boosts the antioxidant property, pro and/or anti-inflammatory cytokine gene transcription, innate-adaptive immunity, growth rate and feed digestibility with very low or no mortality in healthy and infected (both groups) in Labeo rohita against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. The probiotic diet increased the white blood cell (WBC) count and globulin (GB) level significantly on or after 6th week whereas with the symbiotic diet the increase was noted two weeks earlier in both groups; the total protein (TP) level also increased significantly when fed with probiotic diet on weeks 6 and 8, whereas with symbiotic diet the significant increase manifested earlier at 4th week itself. The serum phagocytic activity (PA), respiratory burst activity (RBA), complement C3 (CC3) level, alternative complement pathway (ACP), lysozyme activity (LA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels in head kidney (HK) leucocytes increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups fed with probiotic diet on weeks 6 and 8; with symbiotic diet from weeks 2-8; but with prebiotic diet only on 8th week. With probiotic diet the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) on weeks 6 and 8; with symbiotic diet from weeks 4-8 but the prebiotics diet only on 8th week. However, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity increased significantly (P < 0.05) with probiotic diet on weeks 6 and 8 and with symbiotic diet from weeks 4-8. When healthy fish fed with any supplementation diet for a period of 30 days there was no mortality while 5%, 10%, and 10% mortality was observed in infected group fed with symbiotic, probiotic, and prebiotic supplementation diets. In head kidney (HK) leucocytes, the IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and NF-κB gene transcriptions were significantly up-regulation in both groups when fed with probiotic diet on weeks 6 and 8, symbiotic diet from weeks 4-8 while the prebiotic diet only on 8th week. The iNOS expression was up-regulation significantly in both groups fed with probiotic and symbiotic diets on weeks 6 and 8; however, with any diet, the relative IL-10 and TGF-β gene expressions were down-regulated. The present study suggested that dietary administration of symbiotic diet elicited earlier antioxidant activity, innate-adaptive immune response, immune related cytokine gene modulation, and disease protection earlier i.e. on 4th week than with probiotic or prebiotic diets in L. rohita against A. hydrophila.

Effects of aloe-emodin on innate immunity, antioxidant and immune cytokines mechanisms in the head kidney leucocytes of Labeo rohita against Aphanomyces invadans

The effect of aloe-emodin incorporated diets on innate immune response, disease resistance, pro and/or anti-inflammatory cytokine gene transcription in Labeo rohita against Aphanomyces invadans is reported for the first time. In healthy and infected groups fed with 5 mg aloe-emodin enriched diet the white blood cell (WBC) count increased significantly (p > 0.05) after 6th week. In both groups fed with any enriched diet the biochemical parameters such as albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin ratio did not vary significantly; however with 5 mg aloe-emodin diet the albumin and globulin levels increased significantly (p > 0.05) after 6th week. The serum phagocytic activity (PA), respiratory burst activity (RBA), serum complement C3 (CC3), and lysozyme activity (LA) did not increase with any diet between weeks 2 and 4, whereas with 5 mg aloe-emodin diet increased significantly in both groups after 6th week. The pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and iNOS significantly modulated the expression in both groups on being fed with 5 mg aloe-emodin incorporation diet on 8th week. Healthy fish fed with any aloe-emodin diet did not suffer mortality. However, the infected fish fed with 1, 5, and 10 mg kg^-1 aloe-emodin diets registered 5%, 10%, and 15% mortality. The present study indicates that healthy and infected L. rohita exhibited enhanced innate immune response, disease resistance, pro and/or anti-inflamatory cytokine gene transcription levels against A. invadans.

Comparative immunostimulatory effect of probiotics and prebiotics in Channa punctatus against Aphanomyces invadans

In aquaculture and human health care probiotics and prebiotics have been widely used due to their important role in enhancing beneficial gut microbiota, promoting growth, increasing disease resistance, and positively modulating the host immune system. This study reports for the first time a comparative analysis on the effect of the probiotics and prebiotics on growth, digestive enzymes activity, antioxidant activity, and immune response in Channa punctatus against Aphanomyces invadans. Among the diets enriched with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) and Galactooligosaccharide (GOS) in C. punctatus, feeding 2.5 g kg^-1 diet did not significantly influence the mean weight gain (MWG) between weeks 2 and 4 in both the infected and control groups; however the increase in MWG became significant from weeks 6-8. Similarly, during this period the protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein intake (PI) did not increase significantly. The intestinal protease, lipase, and amylase enzyme activities also did not increase significantly between weeks 2 and 4, whereas the values increased significantly after 6 weeks in both groups when fed with dietary supplementation of S. cerevisiae and GOS. The total S. cerevisiae count significantly increased in the gut of infected and non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS diets while the total bacterial (TB) count decreased between weeks 6 and 8. The total superoxide dismutase (t-SOD) activity and the malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration increased significantly in the non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS supplementation diets between weeks 6 and 8 whereas the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities increased significantly only on week 8. The innate immune parameters such as plasma lysozyme, acid phosphatase (ACP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities increased significantly in the infected and non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS containing diets after 6 weeks. Similarly, the plasma nitric oxide (NO) level and total protein (TP) content significantly increased in the non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS containing diets between weeks 6 and 8. In the control and the non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS enriched diets caused no mortality whereas 15% and 10% mortality was observed in the infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS diets, respectively. This study indicates that the infected and non-infected C. punctatus fed with dietary supplementation of GOS diet at 2.5 g kg^-1 had exhibited better growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, gut microbiota composition, and immune response than that of S. cerevisiae diet.

Kaolin incorporated diet on growth and immune response in Ctenopharyngodon idellus against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of kaolin enriched diet on growth, hematology, and immune response in the grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. Both the infected and uninfected groups fed with kaolin enriched diet gained better weight, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The survival rate was 98.3% in control (C) and uninfected (UI) fed with 2 g kg^-1 kaolin diet, whereas it was 95.0% in uninfected (UI) fed with 1 g kg^-1 or infected (I) fed with 1 g kg^-1 kaolin diets. In both groups the red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, percentage of lymphocytes and eosinophils, level of albumin and globulin increased in uninfected (UI) fed with 1, 2, and 3 g kg^-1 diets. The serum Ig level significantly increased in both groups when fed with 3 g kg^-1 diet, whereas the phagocytic activity did not increase significantly. Further the respiratory burst activity in both groups significantly increased with any supplemented diet. The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly in the infected group fed with 2 g kg^-1 diet and the uninfected group fed with 1 g kg^-1 diet. The complement activity was significantly enhanced in both groups when fed with 1 and 2 g kg^-1 diets; the lysozyme activity increased with 2 g kg^-1 diet; besides the group was 5% mortality whereas 10% mortality was observed when fed with 1 or 3 g kg^-1 diets. The present results suggest that C. idellus fed with kaolin enriched diet promotes growth, hematology, innate and adaptive immune response against Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

Immune defense of emodin enriched diet in Clarias batrachus against Aeromonas hydrophila

This study investigates the effect of emodin enriched diet on growth, hematology, and immune response in walking catfish, Clarias batrachus against Aeromonas hydrophila. The basal (control) diet supplemented with emodin at 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 g kg^-1 was fed to the experimental groups for a period of four weeks. Feeding infected fish with 0.2 g kg^-1 and 0.4 g kg^-1 emodin enriched diets resulted in an overall weight gain, enhanced PER and FCR when compared to other diets. The survival rates were 98.3% and 96.7% in 0.1 g kg^-1 and 0.4 g kg^-1 emodin diet fed groups. Feeding with 0.2 g kg^-1 diet the RBC level significantly elevated on week 1 and with 0.4 g kg^-1 diet on weeks 2 and 4. The WBC, the percentage of globulin and neutrophils increased significantly with 0.2 g kg^-1 diet only on week 4; however with 0.4 g kg^-1 diet the increase was observed from week 1-4. The phagocytic activity increased significantly on being fed with 0.4 g kg^-1 diet on week 2 while with 0.2 g kg^-1 and 0.4 g kg^-1 diets the increase manifested only on week 4; the respiratory burst activity also significantly increased on week 4 whereas increased the complement activity on weeks 2 and 4. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was high on being fed with 0.4 g kg^-1 diet on week 1; with 0.2 g kg^-1 or 0.4 g kg^-1 diets the increase was observed on weeks 2 and 4. The serum IgM level significantly increased when fed with 0.4 g kg^-1 diet whereas the lysozyme activity was enhanced with 0.2 g kg^-1 and 0.4 g kg^-1 emodin diets on weeks 2 and 4. The percentage cumulative mortality was 10% with 0.1 g kg^-1 or 0.2 g kg^-1 diets while with 0.2 g kg^-1 diet it was 15%. The results demonstrate that as a feed additive emodin acts as an immunostimulant enhancing the specific and nonspecific immune defense affording increased disease protection, enhances better growth and boosts hematology parameters in C. batrachus against A. hydrophila infection.

Bentonite clay supplemented diet on immunity in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of Sodium Bentonite (SB) enriched diet on growth performance, innate immune response, and disease resistance in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. The infected fish fed with 5% SB had the maximum weight gain diet (PWG %) and specific growth rate (SGR %) were 26% and 29% when compared to 14% and 17% with 10% diet. Similarly the phagocytic activity increased significantly when infected fish were fed with 5% or 10% SB diets during the experimental period; the complement, respiratory burst and lysozyme activities were also significantly enhanced on weeks 2 and 4. The lower cumulative mortality (10% and 15%) was observed when the infected fish were fed with 5% and 10% SB diets for 30 days. The results suggest that the infected H. fossilis after administration of 5% and 10% SB enriched diets for 30 days had significantly improved growth performance, innate immunity, and disease resistance against A. hydrophilla. Hence, sodium bentonite can be used as a feed additive to stimulate immunity and for disease resistance in the effective production of economically valuable freshwater catfish, H. fossilis.

Effect of Agaricus bisporus enriched diet on growth, hematology, and immune protection in Clarias gariepinus against Flavobacterium columnare

The purpose of the present study was to find out the effect of dietary enriched button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus at 1%, 5%, and 10% levels on growth performance, hematology, nonspecific immune responses, and disease resistance in catfish, Clarias gariepinus against Flavobacterium columnare for a period of four weeks. The percentage weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) were higher in the infected fish fed with 5% A. bisporus enriched diet than with 1% and 10% diets. The red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hematocrit (PCV), and haemoglobin (Hb) values are similar (p > .05) among the experimental groups at the end of fourth week. The phagocytic activity, complement activity, and lysozyme activity were significantly enhanced in the infected fish fed with 5% A. bisporus diet during the experimental period; however, it was significantly enhanced with 10% A. bisporus enriched diet only on weeks 2 and 4. On the other hand, the respiratory burst (RB) activity increased significantly in the infected fish fed with 5% and 10% A. bisporus enriched diets. When fed with 5% A. bisporus diet the cumulative mortality was very low (10%), followed by a high survival rate (89%) in the infected fish; nevertheless, the cumulative mortality was 25% and 20% while it was 74% and 79% when fed with 1% and 10% enriched diets. The present study recommends a dietary supplement of A. bisporus at 5% or 10% level to achieve better growth without side effect, and enhance the nonspecific immune system that prevent mortalities from F. columnare infection in C. gariepinus.

Effect of Cucurbita mixta (L.) seed meal enrichment diet on growth, immune response and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus

The impact of Cucurbita mixta (L.) seed meal enriched diet on growth performance, innate immune response, and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus against Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated. O. mossambicus was fed with 2 g kg^-1, 4 g kg^-1, and 6 g kg^-1 C. mixta seed meal diets for a period of 4 weeks. The results indicated that C. mixta seed meal diets at 4 g kg^-1 and 6 g kg^-1 significantly (P < 0.05) enhances the survival rate, weight gain (WG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed efficiency (FE) from weeks 1-4 when compared to control. C. mixta seed meals administered as feed supplements significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the complement activity, phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, and lysosome activity in infected fish fed with 4 g kg^-1 and 6 g kg^-1 of C. mixta seed meal enriched diet from weeks 2-4. The cumulative mortality was lower in the fish fed with 4 g kg^-1 and 6 g kg^-1 of C. mixta seed meal enriched diets (15% and 18%) than with 2 g kg^-1 diet (26%). The present investigation suggested that C. mixta seed meal enriched diet at 4 g kg^-1 and 6 g kg^-1 enhance the better growth performance, innate immunity, and disease resistance against A. hydrophilla in O. mossambicus.

Effect of Shilajit enriched diet on immunity, antioxidants, and disease resistance in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of diet supplemented with Shilajit, a multi-component natural mineral substance on the antioxidant activity, immune response, and disease resistance in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported. The total hemocyte count (THC) and phagocytic activity significantly increased with 2 g kg(-1) supplemented diet on first week and with other enriched diets on weeks 2 and 4. The respiratory burst (RB) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were significantly increased with 2 g kg(-1) supplemented diet on weeks 1 and 2 whereas 2 and 4 g kg(-1) diets on week 4. The phenoloxidase (PO) activity increased significantly with 2 g kg(-1) diet only on second week and with other enriched diets only on fourth week. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly with any enriched diet during the experimental period except with 6 g kg(-1) diets on first week. However, the glutathione reductase (GR) activity was enhanced significantly only with 2 g kg(-1) enriched diets on weeks 2 and 4. The cumulative mortality of the prawn fed with 2 and 4 g kg(-1) enriched diets was 10% and 15% whereas with 6 g kg(-1) diet the mortality was 20%. The results suggest that diet enriched with Shilajit at 2 g kg(-1) or 4 g kg(-1) positively enhances the antioxidant activity, immunity, and disease resistance in M. rosenbergii against A. hydrophila.

Use of transcutaneous ultrasonography to characterize ovarian status, size distribution, and hierarchical status of follicles in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ovarian status of matured breeding female Japanese quail by means of B Mode portable ultrasound scanning. Active ovaries in various stages of hierarchical development and different morphological structure were observed. The large yellow follicles appeared as a cluster of dark circles with various intensity of hyperechoic concentric ring. Sonographically, these follicles were classified into F1, F2, and F3 measuring 16.20 ± 0.06 mm, 12.48 ± 0.09 mm, and 7.95 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. A comparative study on preslaughter and postslaughter ovarian follicular status revealed accuracy of follicles less than 10 mm, 10-15 mm, 15-18 mm, and greater than 18 mm as 26.31%, 78.9%, 93.75%, and 100%, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 71%. This is the first report on the application of transcutaneous ultrasonographic technique to monitor ovarian status on Japanese quail reporting that the ovarian follicular activity and morphological structure can be monitored nonintrusively throughout quail life which can used as model for reproductive and biomedical research.

Dietary supplementation of Zeolite on growth performance, immunological role, and disease resistance in Channa striatus against Aphanomyces invadans

Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) caused by Aphanomyces invadans which is a primary fungal parasitic pathogen, inflicts serious economic loss in tropical freshwater fish including snakehead murrel, Channa striatus. In the present study with an aim to circumvent the adverse effects of the traditional measures in graded levels (2%, 4%, and 6%) of Zeolite enriched diet on growth performance, hematology, immunological response, and disease resistance in C. striatus against A. invadans is reported. The final weight (FW), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and average daily gain (ADG) were significantly high in infected fish fed with 4% or 6% Zeolite incorporated diets on 4th week. The maximum survival rates (SR) of 96% and 98% were observed when fed with 2% or 4% diets on 4th week. Similarly, the white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly high when fed with any Zeolite enriched diet. However, the haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were significantly high with 4% and 6% Zeolite diets. The total protein and globulin were significantly high with 4% and 6% diets; the albumin, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride were significantly elevated with any enriched diet. The 4% and 6% Zeolite diets significantly enhanced the phagocytic activity on 2nd week but the 2% diet could increase it on 4th week. The respiratory burst (RB) activity, complement activity, and lymphocyte proliferation level were significantly enhanced with 4% and 6% Zeolite diets on weeks 1 and 2 while with 2% diet on 4th week. All enriched diets significantly increased the lysozyme activity during the experimental period. Superoxide anion (SOA) production significantly enhanced with 6% diet on weeks 1 and 2 whereas with 2% diet on week 4. Lower cumulative mortality of 10% and 15% was found with 4% and 6% Zeolite diets whereas a higher mortality (20%) was observed with 2% diet. The present study suggests that dietary supplementation with 4% or 6% Zeolite significantly increase growth performance, hemato-biochemical changes, immunological response, and disease resistance in C. striatus against A. invadans.

Dietary supplementation of Avicennia marina extract on immune protection and disease resistance in Amphiprion sebae against Vibrio alginolyticus

The effect of Avicennia marina aqueous leaf extract on innate immune mechanisms such as total white blood cell counts (WBC), serum lysozyme activity, respiratory burst assay, alternative complement (ACH50) assay, phagocytic activity assay, disease resistance, gut bacteria, and survival rate of clownfish (Amphiprion sebae) against Vibrio alginolyticus is reported. Healthy fish challenged with V. alginolyticus (1 × 10(7) cells ml(-1)) were fed with diets supplemented (0, 1, 2, and 4%) with A. marina extract. The survival rate was 85% and 80% in infected fish fed with 4% and 8% supplementation diet; with 1% diet it was 70% while in the infected untreated group it was only 10%. The total gut bacteria flora was high in 8% and 4% supplementation diet groups with 2.8 × 10(5) and 4.7 × 10(4) cfu/g while it was 8.9 × 10(3) cfu/g in 1% diet group. The immunological parameters significantly increased on weeks 6 and 8 when infected fish were fed with 1% or 4% supplementation diet. This study reports that in clownfish challenged with V. alginolyticus, dietary administration of the 1% or 4% of A. marina extract improved the immune status and survival rate.

Spatial learning associated with stimulus response in goldfish Carassius auratus: relationship to activation of CREB signalling

Earlier, we reported spatial learning ability in goldfish (Carassius auratus) by using spatial paradigm with food reward. Therefore, we hypothesized that goldfish may use associated cue to integrate "where" and "what" for spatial memory. To test our hypothesis, we first trained goldfish to learn to cross the gate1, which is associated with spatial task. Subsequently, they were trained to learn to enter the task chamber and to identify the food reward chamber associated with visual cue (red/green light). Red and green lights were positioned randomly for each trial but always the food reward was kept in green chamber. In addition, to elucidate the role of the signalling cascade in spatial memory associated with visual cue, nicotinamide (NAM, 1000 mg/kg, i.p), a NAD(+) precursor, was used to inhibit the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) pathway. Fishes were trained for 5 days in a maze after treating with either vehicle (VEH, DD H2O) or NAM, and then, they were individually tested for memory. We found that VEH-treated fish learned and recalled the task successfully by showing less latency and making more correct choices than NAM-treated group. Subsequent analysis showed that NAM treatment significantly down-regulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), CREB, expression of SirT1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) in telencephalon. Taken together, our results provide behavioural evidence of spatial memory associated with visual cue in C. auratus, which could be regulated by ERK1/2-CREB-SirT1-Bdnf pathway.

Effect of dietary astaxanthin against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

The effect of astaxanthin at 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg(-1) incorporated in basal feed on immune response and disease resistance in Cyprinus carpio against Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated. When fed with 25 mg kg(-1) diet, the cumulative mortality was 35% whereas it was 10% and 20% with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diets. With all enriched diets the growth rate increased significantly from week 1 to 4 when compared with control. However, the specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) did not vary significantly from that of the control except with 50 mg kg(-1) diet. When fed with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diets the red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values significantly increased. However, the serum total protein, albumin, and globulin contents significantly increased only when fed with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diets. The phagocytic ratio also significantly raised with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diets on week 2 and 4 whereas the phagocytic index significantly increased with all groups only on fourth week. The respiratory burst activity significantly increased in 25 mg kg(-1) diet group on first week whereas in 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diet groups the activity increased on weeks 2 and 4; a similar trend was observed in the anti-protease activity only on weeks 2 and 4. The serum lysozyme activity and bactericidal activity registered a significant increase with all enriched diets. This study suggests that supplementation of astaxanthin at 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) with the basal diet significantly promotes the growth restores hematology and modulates the immune system in C. carpio against A. hydrophila.

Immune response and disease resistance of carotenoids supplementation diet in Cyprinus carpio against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of carotenoid-supplementation diet on immune response and disease resistance in common carp, Cyprinus carpio against Aeromonas hydrophila at weeks 1, 2, and 4 is reported. The cumulative mortality was 10% when fish were fed with 50 or 100 mg kg(-1) supplementation diets while the un-supplementation diet treated group suffered 90% mortality against the pathogen. The phagocytic activity and complement activity significantly increased with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diet groups from weeks 2 and 4 but not in other groups. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was significantly enhanced with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diets from weeks 1 to 4 while the production of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) enhanced on weeks 2 and 4. The lysozyme activity significantly increased when fed with 50 and 100 mg kg(-1) diets on weeks 2 and all supplementation diets on week 4. These results suggest that diet enriched with carotenoid pigment positively enhance the immune status and protects C. carpio from A. hydrophila infection.

Protective effect of chitin and chitosan enriched diets on immunity and disease resistance in Cirrhina mrigala against Aphanomyces invadans

The effect of diet enriched with 1% chitin or chitosan on innate immune response and disease resistance in Cirrhina mrigala against Aphanomyces invadans was investigated at weeks 1, 2, and 4. In the un-infected and infected groups the white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), haematocrit (Ht), lympocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils significantly increased when fed with 1% chitin (CH) or chitosan (CT) enriched diet from weeks 1 to 4 when compared to control; however, the haemoglobin (Hb) and thrombocytes significantly increased only on weeks 2 and 4. The total protein and albumin levels also significantly increased with any enriched diet on weeks 2 and 4; but the globulin and albumin:globulin ratio increased on week 4 as compared to control; similarly the phagocytic activity significantly increased on weeks 2 and 4 while the lysozyme activity increased from weeks 1 to 4. The complement activity was significantly enhanced in CT and CTI fed groups on weeks 2 and 4. In un-infected fish fed with 1% CH and CT diets, the cumulative mortality was 10% and 5% whereas the infected fish suffered 20% and 25% mortality. The present results suggest that infected fish fed with 1% chitin or chitosan enriched diet modulates the immune system conferring disease resistance in C. mrigala against A. invadans.

Permanent genetic resources added to molecular ecology resources database 1 December 2012-31 January 2013

This article documents the addition of 268 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Alburnoides bipunctatus, Chamaerops humilis, Chlidonias hybrida, Cyperus papyrus, Fusarium graminearum, Loxigilla barbadensis, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Odontesthes bonariensis, Pelteobagrus vachelli, Posidonia oceanica, Potamotrygon motoro, Rhamdia quelen, Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii, Sibiraea angustata, Takifugu rubripes, Tarentola mauritanica, Trimmatostroma sp. and Wallago attu. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Alburnoides fasciatus, Alburnoides kubanicus, Alburnoides maculatus, Alburnoides ohridanus, Alburnoides prespensis, Alburnoides rossicus, Alburnoides strymonicus, Alburnoides thessalicus, Alburnoides tzanevi, Carassius carassius, Fusarium asiaticum, Leucaspius delineatus, Loxigilla noctis dominica, Pelecus cultratus, Phoenix canariensis, Potamotrygon falkneri, Trachycarpus fortune and Vimba vimba.

WITHDRAWN: Effects of saponin supplementation diet on hematological, biochemical, and immunological responses in Epinephelus bruneus against Vibrio alginolyticus

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Non-specific immune response and disease resistance induced by Siegesbeckia glabrescens against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Epinephelus bruneus

The immunomodulatory effect of Siegesbeckia glabrescens extract-supplementation diets on innate immune response and disease resistance of kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus against Vibrio parahaemolyticus at weeks 1, 2, and 4 is reported. The serum lysozyme activity was significantly enhanced with any enriched diet from weeks 1-4 when compared to control diet (0%). The alternative complement haemolytic activities significantly were enhanced with all enriched diets on weeks 2 and 4 whereas the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly enhanced only with 1.0% and 2.0% diets. The reactive nitrogen intermediate (RNI) value was significantly enhanced with any enriched diet on weeks 2 and 4, but on first week it did not differ from control. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) production significantly increased with 1.0% and 2.0% diets from second week onwards; with other enriched diets the increase manifested on fourth week; but during first week it did not vary from that of the control with any enriched diet. The protection in terms of cumulative mortality was the least being 25% and 20% when fed with 1.0% and 2.0% diets. The present results indicate that feeding kelp grouper with S. glabrescens extract enriched diet at 1.0% and 2.0% levels significantly enhance the immunological parameters, increase the disease resistance and minimize the cumulative mortality in E. bruneus against V. parahaemolyticus.

WITHDRAWN: Dietary supplementation of Artemisia capillaris on immunity in Paralichthys olivaceus against Edwardsiella tarda

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Inonotus obliquus containing diet enhances the innate immune mechanism and disease resistance in olive flounder Paralichythys olivaceus against Uronema marinum

The present study describes the effect of diet supplementation with Chaga mushroom, Inonotus obliquus extract at 0%, 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% levels on the innate humoral (lysozyme, antiprotease, and complement), cellular responses (production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and myeloperoxidase), and disease resistance in olive flounder, Paralichythys olivaceus against Uronema marinum. The lysozyme activity and complement activity significantly increased in each diet on weeks 2 and 4 against pathogen. The serum antiprotease activity and reactive nitrogen intermediates production significantly increased in fish fed with 0.1% and 1.0% diets from weeks 1-4. However, reactive oxygen species production and myeloperoxidase activity significantly increased in 1.0% and 2.0% diets on weeks 2 and 4. In fish fed with 0.1% and 1.0% diets and challenged with U. marinum the cumulative mortality was 50% and 40% while in 0% and 0.01% diets the mortality was 85% and 55%. The results clearly indicate that supplementation diet with I. obliquus at 0.1% and 1.0% level positively enhance the immune system and confer disease resistance which may be potentially used as an immunoprophylactic in finfish culture.

Poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-encapsulated vaccine on immune system in Epinephelus bruneus against Uronema marinum

We investigate the efficacy of poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-encapsulated vaccine on innate and adaptive immune response in kelp grouper (Epinephelus bruneus) against Uronema marinum at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The respiratory burst (RB) activity, complement activity, and α2-macroglobulin were significantly enhanced in fish immunization with vaccine on week 4 whereas vaccine and PLGA-encapsulated vaccine from weeks 1 to 4. The serum lysozyme activity, antiprotease activity, and antibody level were significantly enhanced in fish immunized with vaccine and PLGA-encapsulated vaccine on weeks 2 and 4. The cumulative mortality was low in PLGA-encapsulated vaccine with 20% whereas high in PLGA and vaccine with 40% and 30%. The results from the present study suggest that PLGA-encapsulated vaccine is useful for further design of immunoprophylatic nano formulation against scuticociliatosis.

Effect of Coriolus versicolor supplemented diet on innate immune response and disease resistance in kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus against Listonella anguillarum

The effect of Coriolus versicolor extract supplemented diets on innate immune response and disease resistance in kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus against Listonella anguillarum, is reported. Kelp grouper were divided into four groups of 25 each and fed with C. versicolor enriched diets at 0% (control), 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% level. After 30 days of feeding, all fish were injected interaperitoneally (i.p.) with 50 μl of L. anguillarum (4.7 × 10(7) CFU) to investigate the immune parameters at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species production were significantly enhanced in fish fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets from weeks 1-4 when compared to the non enriched diet fed and infected control. The phagocytic activity significantly increased with 0.1% and 1.0% diets on weeks 2 and 4. The leucocyte myeloperoxidase content, lysozyme activity, and total protein level significantly increased when fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets from weeks 1-4. The cumulative mortality was 35% and 45% in 1.0% and 0.1% enriched diet fed groups whereas it was 55% and 80% in 0.01% and 0% groups respectively. The present results suggest that diets enriched with C. versicolor at 0.1% or 1.0% level positively enhance the innate immune system and affords protection from L. anguillarum.

Immunomodulatory effect of Withania somnifera supplementation diet in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila

The effect of Withania somnifera extract supplementation diets on innate immune response in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated. The bacterial clearance efficiency significantly increased in prawn fed with 0.1% and 1.0% doses of W. somnifera supplementation diet against pathogen from weeks 1-4 as compared to the control. The innate immune parameters such as, phenoloxidase activity, superoxide anion level, superoxide dismutase activity, nitrate, and nitrite concentrations were significantly enhanced in prawn fed with 0.1% and 1.0% doses of W. somnifera supplementation diet from weeks 1-4 against pathogen. The total hemocyte counts (THC) significantly increased in prawn fed with 0.1% and 1.0% doses diet from weeks 1-4 against pathogen as compared to the control. These results strongly suggested that administration of W. somnifera through supplementation diet positively enhances the innate immune system and enhanced survival rate in M. rosenbergii against A. hydrophila infection.

Kalopanax pictus as feed additive controls bacterial and parasitic infections in kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus

Feeding kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus (26.1 ± 1.4), with 0%, 0.1%, 1.0%, and 2.0% Kalopanax pictus extract-supplementation diets, for 30 days reduced mortality on being challenged intraperitoneally 100 μl with bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus (2.1 × 10(7) cfu ml(-1)) and ciliate parasite Philasterides dicentrarchi (2.3 × 10(7) ciliates ml(-1)). The red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin, haematocrit, lymphocytes, and monocytes levels significantly increased in kelp grouper fed with all doses of K. pictus-supplementation diets and challenged with bacterium and parasite when compared to control. However, the levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophils, and thrombocytes did not significantly. The phagocytic activity, complement activity, and antiprotease activity did not significantly change in kelp grouper fed with 0.1% K. pictus-supplementation diets and challenged with bacterium and parasite. The respiratory activity, lysozyme activity, bactericidal activity, total protein level, and myeloperoxidase levels significantly increased in kelp grouper fed with all the doses of K. pictus-supplementation diet and challenged with bacterium and parasite. However, α2-macroglobulin level significantly increased with 1.0% diet, but not with 0.1% and 2.0% diets. Therefore this study suggests that 1.0% and 2.0% K. pictus-supplementation diets positively protected and enhanced the immune system in kelp grouper E. bruneus against V. alginolyticus and P. dicentrarchi infection.

Enhancement of Eriobotrya japonica extracts on non-specific immune response and disease resistance in kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus against Vibrio carchariae

The present study investigated the effect of Eriobotrya japonica extracts at 0%, 0.1%, 1.0%, and 2.0% doses supplementation with feed on non-specific immune response, hematological and biochemical profile, and disease resistance against Vibrio carchariae in kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The white blood cell (WBC) significantly increased in fish fed with 0.1%, 1.0%, and 2.0% diets on weeks 1 and 2 when compared to the control. However, the glucose always decreased from the control except on week 2 against pathogen. The serum total protein, albumin, and globulin significantly increased at week 2 but they did not changed significantly at weeks 1 and 4. The superoxide anion, lymphokines production index, and phogocytosis did not significantly increased in any diet on the first week whereas it was significantly enhanced in 1.0% and 2.0% supplementation diets on weeks 2 and 4 against V. carchariae when compared to control. All diets significantly enhanced the serum lysozyme activity, bactericidal activity, and haemolytic complement activity from weeks 1-4 as compared to control. The serum agglutinating antibody titre did not significantly enhance on the first week whereas it was significantly enhanced on weeks 2 and 4. Fish fed with 1.0% and 2.0% doses diets was found lower mortality than 0.1% diet. Thus, this study suggested that 1.0% and 2.0% doses supplementation diets could be advocated to enhance the immune response and production disease from V. carchariae in E. bruneus.

Molecular characterization, phylogeny, and expression pattern of c-type lysozyme in kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus

Lysozymes are the key molecules in innate immune system and possess high bactericidal properties. In the present study, a full-length c-type lysozyme cDNA has been cloned and characterized by expressed sequence tag (EST) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques from kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus (Eb-CTL). The cDNA consists of 753 base pairs (bp) with a 432 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes 144 amino acids (aa) residues and polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA. The deduced aa sequence polypeptide had a predicted molecular weight of 16 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point of 7.3. The deduced aa sequence have a long lysozyme domain which contains all catalytic sites and other conserved residues required for lysozyme activity. Pair-wise alignments showed a higher identity (76.4%) with Psetta maxima lysozyme and low identity (38.9%) with lysozymes of insect Bombyx mori. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the kelp grouper lysozyme was more closely related to other fish and vertebrate lysozymes. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis showed that Eb-CTL transcripts are constitutively expressed in hematopoietic organs such as heart, spleen, and kidney after stimulation with LPS or infection with Vibrio anguillarum, indicating the involvement of Eb-CTL in the innate immunity of kelp grouper. This study is a first step on the genetics and functions of the c-type lysozyme in kelp grouper, and their role in anti-bacterial activity with reference to immunological properties which might have biotechnological applications.

Molecular characterization and tissue distribution of ferritin M in kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus

This study, reports the identification and analysis of ferritin M chain, from kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus (EbFerM); it comprises 1004 base pair (bp), including 528bp open reading frame (ORF) which encodes 176 amino acid (aa) residues; the calculated molecular weight is 20kDa. The 5'-untranslated region (UTR) possesses 476bp proceeded by a putative Iron Regulatory Element (IRE). Pair wise alignments showed that EbFerM shared 94% identity with that of Larimichthys crocea and Sciaenops. It is expressed in abundance in liver, spleen, and kidney when challenged with Vibrio anguillarum, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or poly I:C.

Probiotics and herbal mixtures enhance the growth, blood constituents, and nonspecific immune response in Paralichthys olivaceus against Streptococcus parauberis

The present study was reported the effect of probiotics and herbals mixture supplementation diet on growth, blood constituents, and nonspecific immune response in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus against Streptococcus parauberis on weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 after injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 50 μl of PBS (phosphate buffer saline) containing S. parauberis (2.1 × 10⁷ CFU ml⁻¹). The initial weight did not significantly increased in supplementation diet group from 1 to 4 weeks, whereas it was significantly increased from weeks 6 to 12 as compared to fish fed without supplementation diet. The serum aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) activities significantly increased from weeks 4 to 12 in infected fish fed with supplementation diet compared to fish fed without supplementation diet. However, the total protein (TP) and glucose (GLU) levels were significantly increased in infected fish fed with supplementation diet after 6 weeks. The phagocytic, respiratory burst, complement, and lysozyme activities significantly enhanced in infected fish fed with supplementation diet from weeks 4 to 12 as compared to fish fed without supplementation diet. These results suggested that different probiotics and herbals mixture supplementation diet enhanced the growth, blood biochemical constituents, and nonspecific immunity in olive flounder against S. parauberis.