African Journal of Immunology Research

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of garlic ( Allium sativum) on growth and immune responses of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis aureus)

Diegane Ndong¹* and Jean Fall²

¹Agence Nationale de l'Aquaculture, 146 Sotrac Mermoz, BP1496 –Dakar, Sénégal.

²Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Gakuen Kibanadai Nishi 1-1, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.

Accepted 12 October, 2018

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum) was incorporated into diets (0 (control group), 0.5 and 1 g/kg (test groups)) of juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus. The fish initial weight was 25.5 ± 1.0 g (mean± SD) with no significant size difference among the treatments. Innate immune response responses were evaluated for 2 to 4 weeks. Total leucocyte count, respiratory burst, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index and lysozyme activity were enhanced in garlic 0.5 g/kg treated groups compared to the control group after 4 weeks. Fish fed with garlic supplemented diets at 0.5 g/kg showed decreased on weight gain at 2 and 4 weeks as compared to those fed with control diet.

Key words: Hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus, juvenile, garlic, Allium sativum, innate immune response.