Effects of Cow Dung and Immobilized Lactobacillus sporogens on the Hemato-immunological Responses of Indian Major Carp (Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo rohita) and Exotic Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
S. Jayalakshmi
Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore -641029, India.
M. Samynathan *
Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore -641029, India.
S. Preethi
Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore -641029, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study investigates the effects of free and immobilised probiotic supplementation containing Lactobacillus sporogenes with cow dung on the haematological and immunological responses of economically important Indian major carps, Cirrhinus mrigala (11.5 ± 0.4 g), Labeo rohita (8.5 ± 0.5 g), and exotic carp, Cyprinus carpio (10.5 ± 0.6 g), reared in Aliyar Dam water. A total of 125 fingerlings of each fish species were randomly allocated to five treatment groups with triplicates over a 70-day experimental period. The experimental diets consisted of T1 (free probiotics), T2 (cow dung), T3 (cow dung + free probiotics), T4 (cow dung + immobilised probiotics), and a control group fed the basal diet without probiotic supplementation. At the end of the feeding experiment, haematological indices (haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) or Haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)) and immunological parameters (Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) respiratory burst activity, lysozyme activity, and phagocytic activity) were evaluated. The results revealed a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in both haematological and immunological parameters in the probiotic-treated groups compared with the control. Among the treatments, fish receiving cow dung supplemented with immobilised probiotics (T4) exhibited the maximum response, followed by cow dung with free probiotics (T3). The improved haematological and immune responses indicate improved physiological status, oxygen-carrying capacity, and disease resistance in the fish (P≤0.05) compared with the control. These findings suggest that immobilised Lactobacillus sporogenes is an effective probiotic supplement for enhancing the survival rate of commercial IMC and exotic carp by enhancing immunity, reducing disease, improving the haematological profile, and supporting sustainable aquaculture through better water quality and reduced mortality.
Keywords: Freshwater carps, Lactobacillus Sporogens, immobilized probiotics, hematological parameter, innate immune response, organic fertilization.