ABSTRACT
Abstract The immunomodulatory and growth promoter effects of brown propolis ethanolic extract (PEE) were determined in pacu. Fish (28.4±0.4 g) were randomly distributed into 12 polyethylene circular tanks (250 L, 30 fish per tank) and fed for 60 days with a commercial diet (32% crude protein) supplemented with 0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% (v/w) of PEE in a totally randomized experimental design (n=3). Fish organic defense cells numbers such as thrombocytes and neutrophils increased (p<0.05) in fish fed 3.0% dietary PEE. Serum lysozyme concentration also increased (p<0.05) in fish fed 1.5 and 3.0% PEE supplementation when compared to unsupplemented fish. Growth parameters were not influenced (p>0.05) by treatments. Moreover, dietary PEE decreased (p<0.05) fish intestinal muscular thickness when compared to control treatment. Intestine villi height also significantly decreased in fish fed 3.0% PEE. Long term dietary PEE at 3.0% supplementation level modulated fish nonspecific immune system and it is a non-toxic substance for pacu.