ABSTRACT
Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared with different inclusion levels of Gracilaria domingensis (GD; 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) with the objective to test its effects on growth and mullet immune system. The experimental diets were fed to juvenile mullet (Mugil liza, 0.42 ± 0.03g) for 60 days. The growth and expression of anti-CD3 and anti-CD4 primary antibodies for T lymphocytes were evaluated. Fish growth and feed conversion ratio decreased insignificantly by increasing GD levels up to 10% level, after which fish growth was significantly retarded. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes values due to GD supplementation. Mullet fed with GD-enriched diets had a higher expression of anti-CD3 and anti-CD4 antibodies than those fed the control diet. It is concluded that a 5% inclusion level of G. domingensis in the diet increases immune competence without compromising fish growth.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.