Effect of dietary alternative lipid sources on haematological parameters and serum constituents of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings

Abstract

The worldwide increase in aquaculture production and the decrease of wild fish stocks has made the replacement of fish oil (FO) in aquafeed industry a priority. Therefore, the use of terrestrial animal fats and vegetable oils, which has lower cost and larger supplies, may be good as substitute for FO. This study investigate the effects of total replacement of FO by two terrestrial animal fats (pork lard and poultry fat) and three vegetable oils (palm kernel oil, sheabutter oil and sunflower oil) on haematological and serum biochemical profile of Heterobranchus longifilis over 70 days. FO-diet was used as the control. The haematological parameters were significantly affected by dietary lipid sources. Serum total protein was not influenced by the dietary lipids. However, serum cholesterol was significantly higher in fish fed diet containing sunflower oil. Glucose and activities of liver enzymes in blood serum were significantly reduced in fish fed alternative lipids when compared with the control. These results indicate that FO can be replaced completely with alternative lipids without any serious negative health impacts.

Acid and re-esterified rapeseed oils as alternative vegetable oils for rainbow trout diets: Effects on lipid digestibility and growth

“…Nevertheless, an increase in the levels of plasma and serum transaminases has been associated with liver damage in marine (Lemaire et al, 1991) and freshwater species (Babalola et al, 2009), which was directly related to histopathological findings. In the present study, the normal morphology of livers of fish fed the different diets might indicate that differences in ALT and AST found among diets were possibly not relevant.…”

Response of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ) to unrefined peanut oil diets: Effect on growth performance, fish health and fillet fatty acid composition

“…Accordingly, Babalola et al. () found that vegetable oils (sunflower and cacao) increase hepatic enzyme activity in channel catfish. In general, different studies about fish nutrition on different species reported similar results on haematological and biochemical parameters when FO replaced with VO in diets.…”

Erythrocytes in teleost fishes: a review

“…Positive relationship between RBC in Paralichthys dentatus and dietary protein level was observed by Daniels and Gallagher (2000). According to Babalola et al (2009), erythrocyte count in Heterobranchus longifilis was significantly affected by a dietary lipid source (higher in fish fed with sunflower and poultry lipids compared to those fed with other vegetable or animal fat). A significant effect of the lipid source on erythrocyte count was confirmed by Demska-Zakęś et al (2012) for Tinca tinca.…”