Eldessouki et al., E. (2023). Using Nutraceutical to Alleviate Transportation Stress in the Nile tilapia. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 27(1), 413-429. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.287741
Elsayed A. Eldessouki et al.. "Using Nutraceutical to Alleviate Transportation Stress in the Nile tilapia". Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 27, 1, 2023, 413-429. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.287741
Eldessouki et al., E. (2023). 'Using Nutraceutical to Alleviate Transportation Stress in the Nile tilapia', Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 27(1), pp. 413-429. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.287741
Eldessouki et al., E. Using Nutraceutical to Alleviate Transportation Stress in the Nile tilapia. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2023; 27(1): 413-429. doi: 10.21608/ejabf.2023.287741
Using Nutraceutical to Alleviate Transportation Stress in the Nile tilapia
To alleviate the stress of fish transportation, nutraceuticals containing one-fold and two-fold of the recommended levels of vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α-tocopherol) and zinc were added to fish during the acclimatization period (fourteen days). After one day of stocking, fish were fed boosted diets. After the acclimation period, blood parameters and immunity were assessed in addition to experimental bacterial infection. Fish were fed on basal diets for another eight weeks, and growth performance was evaluated. Erratic swimming behavior stopped feeding and aggressiveness. Fish who received boosted diets restored normal behavior during the acclimatization period with a raise of mucus peroxidase activity (0.26 and 0.28 mU/Ml) and mucus lysozyme 3.14 and 3.12 (U/mL). Gene expressions of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and immune cytokines (immunoglobin M-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-10) were significantly enhanced with fish receiving boosted diets, compared to those receiving basal diet. Growth performance was assessed in the experimental fish for eight weeks after acclimatization. The initial weights were significantly higher in boosted fish, and they also achieved higher weight gain, with a significant lower food conversion ratio (1.43 and 1.46). Based on the obtained results, boosting feed during stress condition help fish to restore normal behavior, antioxidant-immune status and enhanced growth performance.