Influence of Vitamin C on Hematology of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) Juveniles during pre and post-challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila (Chester, 1901)

Abstract

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to know the
effect of vitamin C on the hematological responses
of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus juveniles during
pre- and post-challenge conditions with Aeromonas
hydrophila. A total of seven purified diets were
prepared with 0 (control), 17.5 (T1), 35 (T2), 70 (T3),
175 (T4), 350 (T5) and 700 (T6) mg ascorbic acid
(AA) equivalent per kg of diet, supplied as Lascorbyl-
2-polyphosphate (LAPP) and fed to triplicate
group of P. hypophthalmus juveniles (mean
initial body weight: 3.23±0.01 g to 3.38±0.01 g) for
60 days twice daily. After the feeding and after
challenging with A. hydrophila, the haematological
parameters were measured in P. hypophthalmus
juveniles. All haematological parameter values
(except albumin-globulin ratio) viz., serum glucose,
total protein, albumin, globulin, hemoglobin (Hb),
total erythrocyte count (TEC), total white blood cells
count (WBC), hematocrit value (HCT) increased
significantly (p<0.05) in treatment groups than
control (vitamin C depleted diet). Further, the
increased hematological values for most of the
parameters were observed in the range of 175 to 350
mg AA kg-1. Therefore, it is suggested that dietary
supplementation of 175 to 350 mg AA kg-1 diet
would be beneficial for the optimal hematological
responses for P. hypophthalmus juveniles.