A MIXTURE OF GARLIC EXTRACT AND SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE ENHANCED THE PRODUCTIVITY, HATCHABILITY, INTESTINAL HEALTH, AND BLOOD IMMUNITY OF NILE TILAPIA BROODSTOCKS

Abstract

The production of healthy and active seeds is one of the main challenges associated with aquaculture sustainability. Herein, we investigated the role of Alliforte, a source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and garlic extract, on Nile tilapia broodstock performances and the seed production as well as the growth performance of the produced fry. Five test diets were incorporated with Alliforte at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg and fed to the broodstocks for 36 days; then, after hatching and spawning, the fry were fed the same respective diets for 60 days. The final body weight (FW), body weight gain (BWG), weight gain rate (WGR), average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and productive protein value (PPV) were markedly higher, but FCR was lower in fish fed Alliforte at 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg than fish fed 0 and 0.5 mg/kg. The intestinal histological features (villi length, width, and branching of villi) of broodstocks fed dietary Alliforte are markedly improved. The lysozyme activity was markedly improved in broodstock fed dietary Alliforte at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/kg. Dietary Alliforte markedly improved the phagocytic activity, and the highest level was in fish fed 1.5 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg. The average weight of females is increased meaningfully in fish fed 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg. The absolute fecundity (AF) and relative fecundity (RF) were higher in fish fed 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg than 0 and 0.5 mg/kg, while fish fed 1.5 mg/kg had the highest AF and RF. The FW, BWG, ADG, and total feed intake were markedly higher in fry treated with Alliforte than the control, and fish fed 1.5 mg/kg had the highest performances. The WGR, SGR, and PER were markedly improved in fish treated with 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/kg while the FCR was decreased in the same groups. The fry survival rate was markedly increased in groups treated with 1 and 1.5 mg/kg. In conclusion, dietary Alliforte has positively influenced the growth performance, health status, and seed production of Nile tilapia broodstocks. Further, dietary Alliforte improved the fry performances and survival rates. Keywords: aquaculture; seed production; hatchability; maternal nutrition; feed additives