Honey bee pollen improves growth, immunity and protection of
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against infection with Aeromonas
hydrophila
Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2014 Jul 30. pii: S1050-4648(14)00258-7
The mode of action of honey bee pollen (HBP) was
investigated in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) challenged with Aeromonas
hydrophila. Thus, fish with an average weight of 29 ± 3 g were divided into
four groups, and fed with HBP-free diet (control), and 1%, 2.5% and 4% (w/v)
HBP incorporated into basal diet for 10, 20 and 30 days. Immunological,
hematological, biochemical and growth parameters were measured, and sub-groups
of fish were challenged with A. hydrophila via intraperitoneal injection. HBP
significantly increased the growth performance parameters [body weight, length,
average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency ratio
(FER)] and immunological (phagocytic activity, serum bactericidal activity and
nitroblue tetrazolium assay (NBT)), hematological (hematocrit (Hct), leucocrit
(Lct), the numbers of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes) and biochemical
parameters (serum total protein, albumin and globulin ratios). Furthermore, all
treated fish exhibited significant protection against challenge with A.
hydrophila, with the highest protection (93%) observed in the group fed with
2.5% (w/v) HBP for 20 and 30 days.
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