标题:Dietary garlic ( Allium sativum) crude polysaccharides supplementation on growth, haematological parameters, whole body composition and survival at low water pH challenge in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus) juveniles
摘要:AbstractThis work investigated the potential effects of dietary garlic (Allium sativum) crude polysaccharide (GPE) (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0%/kg diet) on growth, haematological parameters, whole body composition, and resistance against low pH in African catfish,Clarias gariepinusjuveniles. At the end of 60 days, fish fed GPE supplemented diets had significantly increased (P < 0.05) in growth parameters (weight gain, absolute growth rate, specific growth rate, and final weight compared to those fed a control diet. Similarly, feed utilization indices (feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio) were significantly improved (P < 0.05) in GPE supplemented fish compared to the control. Despite haematological indices being somewhat high in GPE supplemented fish, significant increase (P < 0.05) was only observed in the red blood cells (RBC) (for those fed 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%), and in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (for those fed 0.5% and 1.0%). No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the cumulative survival among dietary groups following a challenge with low pH, except somewhat high survival in garlic-supplemented fish especially at 72 h. Similarly, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was presented in the whole body composition and organo-somatic indices among groups. Based on the second order polynomial analysis, dietary inclusion level less than or equal to 1.88% of garlic/kg diet is estimated suitable to support growth, feed utilization, and ultimately health inC. gariepinusjuvenile culture.