Effects of dietary retinol acetate on growth performance,skin mucus immune responses and haematological parameters of Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus)

Three retinol acetate (vitamin A)‐supplemented diets containing 0, 5,000, 10,000 IU kg^?1 diet (in dry weight) were fed twice daily to triplicate groups (50 fish/group) of Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) (1.91 ± 0.07 g) for 40 days. At the end of feeding trial, skin mucus antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus faecium, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as well as soluble protein level, growth performance and haematological parameters was evaluated. Growth performance including final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and food conservation ratio as well as the survival rate showed no significant differences between vitamin A‐supplemented diets and control groups (p > .05). The results revealed that the administration of 10,000 IU vitamin A kg^?1 significantly increased skin mucus antibacterial activity (p < .05). Furthermore, the soluble protein level of skin mucus was found to be significantly elevated in roach fed diet containing 10,000 IU vitamin A kg^?1 (p < .05). Evaluation of haematological parameters revealed no significant difference (p > .05), except white blood cell counts that were significantly higher in vitamin A‐fed roach (p < .05). The results of the present study indicate that dietary vitamin A can modulate mucosal immune response of Caspian roach.