ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The enhancement of fish immune system and growth performance throughout the administration of bio-friendly agents such as diet supplements (taurine) is considered a promising alternative in farmed aquatic species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was aimed to examine the effect of supplementation of dietary taurine (0, 5 g-TAU5 and 10 g-TAU10) in crystalline form (99% purity) in L. calcarifer juveniles, taking into account growth performance, general health indices and immune related-genes mRNA transcript abundance. RESULTS: The results confirmed that the supplementation of taurine enhances significantly all the growth parameters and a better flesh quality. While the blood biochemical and immunological factors didn't present any significant differences, the expression of growth-related genes showed that IGF-1 was almost 3 times higher in fishes fed diet Tau 5 and Tau 10 compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, it can be concluded that at the maximum dose tested (10 g) the treatment was effective for Asian seabass. In addition, Tau inclusion in an FM-based diet can increase the productivity parameters along with raising the antioxidant status.