Effects of nutraceutical conglomerate on growth and antioxidant status of Labeo rohita fingerlings

• Published in: Animal feed science and technology 2021-10, Vol.280, p.115045, Article 115045
• Main Authors: Naseemashahul, Shamna, Sahu, Narottam P., Sardar, Parimal, Fawole, Femi J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Crowding; Enzymatic antioxidants; Feed additives; Feed restriction; Micronutrients
• ISSN: 0377-8401; 1873-2216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115045

•Exposure of Labeo rohita fingerlings to multiple stressors altered the expression and activities of antioxidant enzymes.•An increase in superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was observed from 2nd month of stress exposure.•Serum total antioxidant status showed a significant decrease in stress exposed non-nutraceutical fed groups.•Feeding of nutraceutical conglomerate at 0.1 % supported the overall stress mitigation in Labeo rohita. Four month feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a vitamin-mineral based nutraceutical conglomerate on Labeo rohita fingerlings (Hamilton, 1822) exposed to different stressors like crowding (normal stocking density NSD, 10 number of fish in 75 L water or high stocking density, HSD, 20 number of fish in 75 L water) and feed restriction (satiation feeding, SF or restricted feeding, RF, at 1% of body weight). One thousand and eighty (1080) fingerlings of Labeo rohita with an average size of 8.5 g ± 0.5 were randomly distributed in 6 distinct experimental groups, viz, THR0 (HSD, RF and 0% nutraceutical), THR1 (HSD; RF; 0.1 % nutraceutical), THR5 (HSD, RF, 0.5 % nutraceutical), TNS0 (NSD, SF and 0% nutraceutical), TNS1 (NSD; SF; 0.1 % nutraceutical) and TNS5 (NSD; SF; 0.5 % nutraceutical). Feeding of nutraceuticals improved the overall growth of the fish both in stress exposed and non-exposed groups. The hepatic antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase-1, SOD-1; glutathione peroxidase-1, GPx-1) and enzymes (SOD and GPx) showed significantly higher values in stress exposed group (THR0) during the experimental trial in all the four months while catalase gene and enzyme showed a higher activity from 2nd month onwards. Reduced glutathione was found lower at the end of 3- and 4-months trial. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS) was significantly reduced due to stress at the end of each trial period, whereas feeding of 0.1 % nutraceutical increased the TAS in stress exposed groups. Hence, it can be concluded that feeding of 0.1 % nutraceutical conglomerate containing zinc, selenium, vitamin E and methionine could mitigate the crowding and feed restriction-mediated oxidative stress in Labeo rohita fingerlings at the end of 3- and 4-months period. The result of this study will be highly applicable for the production of stunted carp fingerlings for short duration crop in seasonal ponds or water bodies.