The study of some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile beluga (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Huso huso</Emphasis>) fed oligofructose

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary oligofructose (1, 2 and 3%) on the blood profiles of beluga (Huso huso) juveniles (18.77 ± 0.76 g) compared to fish fed an un-supplemented diet. After 7 weeks of feeding on the experimental diets, haematological parameters, metabolic products (cholesterol, glucose and total protein) and serum enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) were measured. Compared to the control group (0% oligofructose), dietary oligofructose had no effect on red blood cell counts (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cellular haemoglobin (MCH) or mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P > 0.05). However, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, leucocyte (WBC) levels and the proportion of lymphocytes were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in the 2% oligofructose fed fish than in the 3% oligofructose fed fish. Additionally, haematocrit (Hct) values (P = 0.049) and the proportion of lymphocytes (P ≤ 0.01) were significantly higher in the 2% oligofructose group than in the control group. Although serum glucose and total protein remained unaffected, serum cholesterol was significantly lower in the 2% oligofructose group than in the control and 3% oligofructose group (P < 0.05). The results of the present study showed that oligofructose had no significant effects on serum lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. These results indicate that fish blood profiles could be affected by prebiotics, which should be taken into account in future studies.     

Prevalence,biology, and distribution pattern of Sarcocystis infection in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Iran

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, distribution pattern, and the Sarcocystis species involved in slaughtered water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the Khuzestan, Iran by macroscopic and histological examination. The esophagus, heart, diaphragm, tongue, masseter, and thigh muscles were investigated. Esophagus and thigh muscles of only 3 of the 100 examined water buffaloes (3%) were infected with macroscopic Sarcocystis, whereas at microscopic level Sarcocystis were found in 83 of the 100 examined animals (83%). The highest prevalence rate of microscopic cysts was found in masseter muscle (57.1%) and then followed by tongue, diaphragm, esophagus, heart, and finally, thigh muscles (30.0%). There was no significant difference between males (83.6%) and females (82.0%) or between two investigated age groups (≤2 years old, 78% versus >2 years old, 88%). Based on the size of the sarcocysts, thickness of the walls and location of the cysts, Sarcocystis buffalonis as a macroscopic form and Sarcocystis levinei and Sarcocystis dubeyi as the microscopic forms were diagnosed in the examined muscles of the buffaloes of this area. Sarcocystis fusiformis was not seen in the examined organs of these buffaloes. The high prevalence rate of microscopic Sarcocystis in this region indicates that dogs have a more significant role than cats in transmission of these protozoa.     

Effect of Bay (Laurus nobilis L.) Essential Oil on Surimi Gels Nutritionally Enhanced with Salmon and Flaxseed Oils

Bay essential oil (BEO) at 0.5 and 1 g/100 g was added to surimi gels fortified with omega (ω)-3 rich oils. Although the fortification resulted in increased (P < 0.05) susceptibility of surimi to lipid oxidation, 0.5 g/100 g BEO significantly reduced TBARS (P < 0.05). Addition of ω-3 rich oil or BEO improved the texture. Color values of the surimi seafood were improved particularly when BEO was added. Sensory properties, water activity, and pH values were generally within the acceptable range. These results suggest that the incorporation of BEO may allow food manufacturers to nutritionally enhance surimi seafood with beneficial ω-3 rich oils.     

Immunomodulatory effect of cimetidine in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The main indication of cimetidine is being H₂-receptor antagonist, but studies suggest that cimetidine may also act as a non-specific stimulant of cell-mediated immunity and immunomodulator. In order to determine the immunomodulatory effect of dietary intake of cimetidine in the common carp (100 ± 10 g), subjects were fed diets containing 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 mg cimetidine kg^?1 of dry diet for a period of 6 weeks. TLC and NBT assays were significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated in cimetidine-supplemented groups displaying the highest value in 200 mg kg^?1 group. A decrease (P < 0.05) in cortisol and ACH50 value was recorded in fish treated with cimetidine. Serum protein, albumin and serum globulin levels were not significantly changed. The findings of the present investigation suggest that the incorporation of cimetidine in the diet of common carp enhances the non-specific immunity.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with corn protein concentrate in diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Effects on growth performance,physiometabolic responses,and fillet quality

An 8‐week feeding trial was run to investigate the replacement of fishmeal with corn protein concentrate (CPC; Empyreal^®) in rainbow trou (100.5 ± 2.3 g) diet. Fishmeal was increasingly replaced with 0 (Control), 30 (CPC₃), 60 (CPC₆), 90 (CPC₉) and 120 (CPC₁₂) g/kg CPC. The results showed that the substitution of fishmeal with CPC up to 90 g/kg did not cause significant differences in the growth indices as compared to the control group, while further replacement resulted in the reduction of the growth performance. The fillet crude protein showed no significant difference between the control diet and diets containing up to 90 g/kg CPC (p > .05). Serum biochemical parameters such as albumin and glucose did not change notably, while the highest levels of alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were seen in the CPC₁₂ group (p < .05). Also, serum lysozyme activity was increased with the elevation of dietary CPC up to 90 g/kg (p < .05). The redness and yellowness of the fillet were markedly elevated with the dietary incorporation of CPC (p < .05). Taken together, the optimum range of fishmeal substitution with CPC was 81.0–82.2 g/kg CPC in rainbow diet based on the broken‐line regression analysis.     

Effects of olive pomace on growth performance,digestibility, body composition and fatty acid profile in yearling Siberian sturgeon,Acipenser baerii (Brandt 1896)

Replacement of olive pomace (OP) with wheat flour in diet was studied in diet of yearling Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). Fish (165 ± 6.8 g) were randomly allocated to 15 fibreglass tanks (15 fish/tank, in triplicate). Fish were assigned to one of five dietary treatments at 19.1 ± 1.5°C for 8 weeks: control diet (crude protein and crude lipid at 514.6 and 188 g/kg_, respectively) and four experimental diets with 20, 50, 75 and 100 g/kg OP to replace wheat flour in the experimental diets. No significant difference was observed in the final weight, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, hepatosomatic index, viscera‐somatic index and survival rate among the treatments (p > 0.05). No change was seen in digestibility of protein and lipid in diets containing 20 g/kg and 50 g/kg OP compared to control group, while these values decreased with increasing in OP above 50 g/kg. Digestibility of dry matter and gross energy among the treatments demonstrated no significant difference (p > 0.05). Polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially C22:6n3 (DHA), in the muscle of the fish fed 75 g/kg and 100 g/kg OP in diets were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). These data show that OP could be recommended as a substitute for wheat flour in diet of S. sturgeon but its utilization for other species warranted future works.     

Toxic effects of indoxacarb on gill and kidney histopathology and biochemical indicators in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical and histopathological effects of indoxacarb on an economic fish species Cyprinus carpio. The fish were divided into four triplicated groups exposed to either of 0% (control), 5% (0.75 mg/L), 10% (1.5 mg/L) or 20% (3 mg/L) of the pesticide LC₅₀. Blood sampling was performed after 7, 14 and 21 days exposure. There were no changes in blood calcium levels at any times. In the indoxacarb‐treated fish, chloride levels decreased at the first and increased at the second sampling compared to the control. In 3 mg/L treatment, phosphorus increased significantly after 7 days compared to the control. Plasma glucose levels decreased significantly at the 7th and 14th days sampling; however, it increased at the 21st day. After 7 days, creatinine level in 3 mg/L treatment was significantly lower than the control; however, the creatinine levels of indoxacarb treatments were higher than the control at the 21st day. The indoxacarb‐treated fish had higher plasma urea levels compared to the control at the 7th day. At the 21st day, plasma urea level at 3 mg/L was significantly lower than the control treatment. Edema, Lamellar curling, hyperplasia, lamellar fusion and hyperaemia were observed in the indoxacarb‐treated fish gill. Tubular necrosis, hematopoietic necrosis, melanomacrophage aggregates, Bowman's capsule edema, glomerulus degeneration and hyperaemia were observed in the indoxacarb‐treated fish kidney. Generally, sublethal concentrations of indoxacarb cause stress, hydromineral imbalance, metabolism alteration and gill and kidney damages in common carp.