Effects of dietary powdered Ficus deltoidea on the growth and health performance of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus production.

Intensive aquaculture causes a decline in the health status of fish, resulting in an increased disease incidence. To counteract this, feed additives have been utilized to improve the growth performance and health of aquaculture species. This work specifically investigates the impact of powdered Ficus deltoidea (FD) on various parameters related to growth, blood parameters, liver and intestine morphology, body proximate analysis, digestive enzymes, antioxidant capacity, and disease resistance to motile Aeromonad Septicemia (MAS) caused by Aeromonas hydrophila infection in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Four formulated diets were prepared: T1 (0% FD), T2 (0.5% FD), T3 (0.75% FD), and T4 (1% FD). After 8 weeks, the African catfish's growth performance fed with the T2 diet exhibited a substantial improvement (p < 0.05), along with a remarkably lower (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) when compared to the other treatment groups. Blood parameter analysis revealed notably higher (p < 0.05) levels of white blood cell (WBC), lymphocytosis (LYM), hemoglobin (HGB), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLOB), as well as total protein (TP) in the T2 diet group. While all treatment groups displayed normal intestinal morphology, liver deterioration was observed in groups supplemented with higher FD. The T2 diet group recorded the highest villus length, width, and crypt depth. Protease and lipase levels were also notably improved in the T2 diet group compared to other treatment groups. Additionally, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were remarkably elevated in all FD diet groups than in the control group. The expression of immune-related genes, including transforming growth factor beta 1, heat shock protein 90, nuclear factor kappa-B gene, and lysozyme G, was upregulated in all treatments. Overall, the results of this study indicate that incorporating dietary FD at 0.5% concentration in the diet of African catfish may enhance their productivity in intensive farming.

Oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnancy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review explores the level of oxidative stress (OS) markers during pregnancy and their correlation with complications. Unlike previous studies, it refrains from directly investigating the role of OS but instead synthesises data on the levels of these markers and their implications for various pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restrictions, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour, gestational diabetes mellitus and miscarriages. METHOD: STUDY DESIGN: Utilizing a systematic review approach, we conducted a comprehensive search across databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. Our search encompassed all publication years in English. RESULTS: After evaluating 54,173 records, 45 studies with a low risk of bias were selected for inclusion. This systematic review has underscored the importance of these markers in both physiological and pathological pregnancy states such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restrictions, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour, gestational diabetes mellitus and miscarriages. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides valuable insights into the role of OS in pregnancy and their connection to complications. These selected studies delved deeply into OS markers during pregnancy and their implications for associated complications. The comprehensive findings highlighted the significance of OS markers in both normal and pathological pregnancy conditions, paving the way for further research in this field.

Comparative analysis of growth and health of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed with different starch diets.

This study evaluated the effects of potato, wheat, rice, and corn starch on growth performance, blood parameters, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidative response, and gut microbiota of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. A control diet (a commercial fish diet) and four different starch (potato, PO; wheat, WH; corn, CO; rice, RC) formulations were fed to African catfish with average weight of 10.5g (n = 30) for eight weeks. The experiment was conducted in triplicates. At the end of the feeding trial, the growth performance of African catfish fed with potato starch (PO) was significantly higher than other treatment groups. Furthermore, this group recorded significant and lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to other groups. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in all tested hematological parameters and antioxidative response between the groups. Digestive enzyme activities in the fish intestines, including amylase, lipase, and protease, were significantly higher in African catfish fed with the PO diet. In addition, this group demonstrated substantially lower viscerosomatic index (VSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) than other groups, indicating that the fish has more meat on its body. The PO diet group also recorded significantly higher Akkermansia muciniphila, a good gut microbiota. Therefore, the PO diet potentially improves African catfish's growth performance and health status.

The Potential of Fish Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation in Nile Tilapia Diets: Effects on Growth and Health Performance, Disease Resistance, and Farm Economic Analysis.

Fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) has shown immense potential as a dietary protein supplement and immunostimulant in aquaculture, especially in Nile tilapia production. Four isoproteic diets (30% crude protein) were prepared by including FPH at varying percentages (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%). Nile tilapia fed with FPH diets for 90 days, and their growth performance, feed utilization, blood biochemistry, liver and gut morphology, and resistance against Streptococcus iniae were investigated. The findings revealed that diets physical attributes such as pellet durability index and water stability were remarkably (p < 0.05) varied between experimental diet groups. Furthermore, the test diets were more palatable when FPH was included at 1% and 2%. Fish that were fed with a 2% FPH-treated diet had significantly (p < 0.05) greater growth indices than other treatments. Additionally, their feed utilization was significantly (p < 0.05) improved. The experimental diets and intestinal total bacteria count (TBC) exhibited a rising trend with FPH levels, where the 2% FPH-treated diet recorded the highest TBC. Neutrophil (109/L), lymphocyte (109/L), eosinophil (109/L), and red blood cell(1012/L) counts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the 2% FPH-treated group, while the white blood cell (109/L), and basophil (109/L) counts were not influenced by the FPH inclusion. Moreover, the FPH-treated groups displayed lower creatinine, bilirubin, and urea levels than the control. The histological examination demonstrated that themid-intestine of 2% FPH-fed Nile tilapia had an unbroken epithelial wall, more villi with frequent distribution of goblet cells, wider tunica muscularis, and stronger stratum compactum bonding than other treatments. Additionally, this group exhibited more nuclei and erythrocytes and less vacuolar cytoplasm in liver than their counterparts. Nile tilapia that were given a diet containing 2% FPH had significantly (p < 0.05) higher resistance (83.33%) to S. iniae during the bacterial challenge test. A significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in farm economic efficiency was observed in the higher inclusion of FPH in diets. In summary, 2% FPH supplementation in Nile tilapia diets improved their growth performance, feed utilization, health status, disease resistance, and farm economic efficiency.

Resveratrol impacts on aquatic animals: a review.

Aquaculture has intensified tremendously with the increasing demand for protein sources as the global population grows. However, this industry is plagued with major challenges such as poor growth performance, the lack of a proper environment, and immune system impairment, thus creating stress for the aquaculture species and risking disease outbreaks. Currently, prophylactics such as antibiotics, vaccines, prebiotics, probiotics, and phytobiotics are utilized to minimize the negative impacts of high-density farming. One of the promising prophylactic agents incorporated in fish feed is resveratrol, a commercial phytophenol derived via the methanol extraction method. Recent studies have revealed many beneficial effects of resveratrol in aquatic animals. Therefore, this review discusses and summarizes the roles of resveratrol in improving growth performance, flesh quality, immune system, antioxidant capacity, disease resistance, stress mitigation, and potential combination with other prophylactic agents for aquatic animals.

The Potential of Fermented Water Spinach Meal as a Fish Meal Replacement and the Impacts on Growth Performance, Reproduction, Blood Biochemistry and Gut Morphology of Female Stinging Catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis).

The identification and development of a new plant-based feed ingredient as an alternative protein source to FM have gained the interest of the aquafeed industrial players. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the physical, biochemical, and bacteriological properties of dietary FWM and the impacts on the growth and reproductive performances of farmed female stinging catfish, H. fossilis broodstock. Five experimental diets were formulated with different FWM inclusion (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). Fatty acid profiles such as 4:0, 10:0, 20:0, 21:0, 22:0, 24:0, 20:1n9, 18:3n6, 20:3n6, 20:4n6, and 22:6n3 were found in higher levels in FWM compared to the water spinach meal (WM). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the physical properties of the FWM experimental diets (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the experimental feed with 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% FWM were more palatable to the broodstock than 100% FWM. The number of total bacteria (TB) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in catfish diets exhibited a rising trend with an increase in FWM, while 50% of FWM-fed fish intestines had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher TB and LAB than other treatment groups. The growth, feed utilization, and reproductive variables of H. fossilis were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by FWM inclusion at various levels. Moreover, the significantly (p < 0.05) highest oocytes weight, fertilization, egg ripeness, and ovipositor diameter were observed in the treatment of 50% FWM diet treatment group. In addition, the spawning response was 100% in all treatments except for the control group (66.67%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the hematological and serum biochemical indices in most treatment groups. In addition, the histological analysis of H. fossilis midintestinal tissue indicated that the fish fed with a 50% FWM diet had an unbroken epithelial barrier with more goblet cell arrangements and a well-organized villi structure and tunica muscularis compared to other treatment groups. These outcomes suggested that FWM at 50% inclusion is an adequate protein supplement for fish feed, resulting in better growth, reproductive performance, and health of H. fossilis broodstock development.

The Roles of Polysaccharides in Carp Farming: A Review.

Carp is an important aquaculture species globally, and the production is expected to increase with the growing market demands. Despite that, disease outbreaks remain a major challenge, impeding the development of sustainable carp farming. Moreover, the application of antibiotics, a common prophylactic agent, can adversely impact public health and the environment. Therefore, polysaccharide has been recognized as a novel prophylactic agent in the health management of carp farming, as well as gaining consumers' confidence in carp farming products. In this review, the definition, sources, and main roles of polysaccharides in improving growth performance, stimulating the immune system, enhancing disease resistance, and alleviating abiotic stresses in carp farming are discussed and summarized. In addition, the use of polysaccharides in combination with other prophylactic agents to improve carp farming production is also highlighted. This review aims to highlight the roles of polysaccharides and provide valuable information on the benefits of polysaccharides in carp farming.

Fermented Soybean Meal (FSBM) in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Diets: Effects on Growth Performance, Fish Gut Microbiota Analysis, Blood Haematology, and Liver Morphology.

The study revealed the potential of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) as a fish meal (FM) replacement in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) feed formulation. Five isonitrogenous diets (32% crude protein) were prepared with five different levels of FSBM as FM replacement, namely 0% FSBM (T1), 40% FSBM (T2), 50% FSBM (T3), 60% FSBM (T4), and 70% (T5). The experimental fish was given the formulated diet for eight consecutive weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, the fish were subjected to growth performance, blood parameters, blood chemical, liver histology, and gut microbiota assessment. The study findings demonstrated that the experimental fish that received the T2 diet exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) growth performance. Experimental fish that received diet T2 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) and significantly lower (p < 0.05) in terms of cholesterol (CHOL), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLOB), and total protein (TP). The replacement of FSBM to FM significantly affected liver morphology on the sinusoid, vacuole, nucleus, and erythrocytes. Gut microbiota composition analysis showed a significantly high abundance (p < 0.05) of Akkermansia muciniphila in the experimental fish that received the T2 diet. The gut microbiota indicates that the experimental fish is in a healthy condition. In conclusion, replacing 40% FSBM with FM in aquafeed could enhance C. gariepinus growth performance and health conditions.