Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Fisheries Department, Marine Sciences and Technology Faculty, University of Hormazgan, Bandar Abbas
2
Department of Science and Technologies, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
3
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
4
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
10.22124/janb.2025.29750.1275
Abstract
Bioactive compounds present in plants, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, play an important role in the nutrition of aquatic animals. These compounds, by affecting physiological mechanisms such as enhancing the immune system, can improve the biological performance and resistance of fish against stressors. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ivy plant extract on growth performance and mucosal immune factors in rainbow trout. A total of 240 rainbow trout with an initial weight of 6.39 ± 0.35 g were stocked in 12 aquariums at a density of 20 fish per tank and fed with four experimental diets containing 0 (control group), 100 (treatment 100), 150 (treatment 150), and 200 (treatment 200) mg of ivy extract for 8 weeks. Results showed that final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain, and specific growth rate were significantly affected by the experimental diets, with the highest growth observed in the group fed with treatment 200. After eight weeks, feeding was stopped for 24 hours, and four fish were randomly selected from each tank for mucous sampling. Lysozyme, total protein, total immunoglobulin, and complement factors were examined. At the end of the experiment, levels of total immunoglobulin, lysozyme, and total protein in the mucus of fish fed with different levels of ivy extract increased, with the highest amounts found in treatment 200. Different levels of ivy extract had a significant effect on complement, with the highest level observed in fish fed treatment 150. The results indicated that this dietary supplement at an optimal dose (treatment 200) has the potential to improve innate immunity in rainbow trout and is recommended for sustainable aquaculture use.
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