Effects of a Diet of <i>Phragmites australis</i> instead of <i>Triticum aestivum</i> L. on Immune Performance and Liver Tissue Structure of <i>Ctenopharyngodon idellus</i>

Abstract

This experiment aimed to study the effects on liver tissue structure and immune performance of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus when the common reed Phragmites australis is in its diet, instead of wheat Triticum aestivum L. Seventy-two healthy grass carps (145.52 ± 2.56 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to their body weight. Fishes in each group were fed an essential diet with 0% (control group), 50% and 100% (test group) common reed, instead of wheat, respectively. After feeding for 41 days, the changes of serum biochemical indices, liver tissue structure and immune related indices of grass carp were detected. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the substitution groups were significantly increased (p p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the liver cells of grass carp in the substitution groups had clear boundaries, tight arrangement and less vacuolation. The contents of serum interleukin-1 (IL-1) and complement 3 (C3) in the 100% substitution group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p p p p < 0.05). In summary, common reed, instead of wheat, in feed can improve the liver tissue structure, and increase the non-specific immune response level, of grass carp.

Keywords

• <i>Ctenopharyngodon idellus</i>
• <i>Phragmites australis</i>
• serum biochemistry
• immune-related factors
• immune gene