Antioxidant defence to ammonia stress of characins (Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner) fed diets supplemented with carotenoids

This study aimed to find out whether dietary carotenoid (CD) supplement could influence the resistance of characins (Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner) to ammonia stress. Two types of CD and its combination [astaxanthin (AX), β‐carotene (BC), 1 : 1 combination of AX and BC (MX)] at three concentrations (10, 20 and 40 mg kg⁻¹) were used resulting in nine pigmented diets. No differences in growth and survival of the fish among treatments were found after 8‐week rearing. Experimental and control fish were then exposed to 15 mg total ammonia nitrogen L⁻¹ (stress group) and 0.15 mg total ammonia nitrogen L⁻¹ (normal group) for 72 h, and their blood was withdrawn. No mortality resulted under such TAN concentrations. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), serum antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (GPx)] and serum transaminases [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] were chosen as indices of fish antioxidant capacity or stress resistance. SOD, GPx and AST were affected by the interactions of dietary CD and ammonia stress. The activities of TAS, SOD, GPx and AST increased under the stress. Dietary CD reduced serum SOD, GPx, ALT and AST activities. In conclusion, dietary CD increased the resistance of characins to ammonia stress.