Immunomodulatory and Growth Promoting Effect of Dietary Fenugreek Seeds in Fingerlings of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio Lin.)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the
immunomodulatory effect of dietary intake of
fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.), seed powder
on common carp (Cyprinus carpio Lin.). The diets
containing 5, 10 and 20 g fenugreek kg-1 of dry feed
at the rate of 5% of total body weight was fed to
fish for 90 days. Experimental fish stock was
challenged intra-peritoneally with Aeromonas
hydrophila. Total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin
count, total serum protein, albumin and globulin
content were determined. Results indicate that the
values of these parameters were significantly enhanced
in fenugreek supplemented groups particularly
in 20 mg kg-1of body weight. Highest lysozyme
and nitrobluetetrazolium activity were 65.16 ± 0.585
and 0.989 ± 0.004 respectively in 10 g kg-1 post
challenge group. The survival percentage and
specific growth rate was higher (98.34%) in 20 mg
kg-1 group with respect to control. Furthermore, the
antibacterial activity of fenugreek methanolic extract
was also observed against two fish pathogens;
Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas liquefaciens.
The findings clearly indicate that the incorporation
of fenugreek in diet of common carp fingerlings
enhances the non-specific immunity which increases
their resistance against infection in fish, suggesting
its use in fish diet as a health supplement.