Dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Supplementation on Growth Performance, Haematology, Immune Response and Disease Resistance of Rugose Frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus)

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on the growth, survival, haematology, immune parameters and disease resistance of Rugose frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Frogs were fed a formulated diet containing Spirulina as 0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0% for a period of eight weeks. The results indicated that growth parameters; final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate of frog fed with A. platensis at the level of 4.5% showed best values but not significantly different (P>0.05). However, haematological values; leukocytes, erythrocytes, haemoglobin, and haematocrit levels were highest and significantly different (P<0.05) when compared to the control group. Disease resistance was tested by challenging with A. hydrophila after eight weeks of feeding. The results showed that frog fed with 4.5% A. platensis showed significantly (P<0.05) higher survival rate and highest resistance to A. hydrophila in comparison with the other groups. Leukocyte, erythrocyte, complement C3, and immunoglobulin G levels of frogs fed with 4.5% A. platensis were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) differed compared with control. In conclusion, diet supplemented with Spirulina at the level of 4.5% could improve growth performance, haematological and immune parameters, and A. hydrophila resistance in Rugose frogs.

Keywords

• arthrospira platensis
• aeromonas hydrophila
• hoplobatrachus rugulosus haematology value
• immune response