Effects of polyherbal formulation 'ImmuPlus' on immunity and disease resistance of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita at different stages of growth.

ABSTRACT

A series of experiments were performed to determine the impact of polyherbal immunomodulatory formulation 'ImmuPlus' (AquaImmu) on growth, immunity and disease resistance of rohu (Labeo rohita), one of the Indian major carp at different stages of growth. Rohu larvae were fed on plankton, ImmuPlus-mixed compound feed, and plankton plus ImmuPlus-mixed compound feed (ImmuPlus added at three dose levels of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g/kg feed) from 4th day of hatching to 14th day. ImmuPlus-mixed diets enhanced growth of larvae, survival and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila challenge, compared to only plankton-fed group. In two other experiments, advanced rohu larvae and fingerlings were fed with ImmuPlus-mixed compound feed (at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) for 15, 30 and 45 days. At the end of 45 days for advanced larvae and 30 days for fingerlings, the fish fed with ImmuPlus at 1.0 g/kg level showed significantly higher growth and disease resistance against A. hydrophila challenge. In a separate experiment, juveniles of rohu were fed with 1 g/kg of ImmuPlus incorporated feed for 15 and 30 days. At the end of the trial, the ImmuPlus fed fish showed enhanced non-specific immunity (as measured through nitroblue tetrazolium reduction assay, serum lysozyme activity, serum haemolysin titre and resistance against A. hydrophila challenge in non-vaccinated fish as well as specific immunity levels (as measured through bacterial agglutination titre against A. hydrophila in vaccinated fish). Incorporation of ImmuPlus at 1 g/kg level in the diet of rohu may be beneficial for enhancing disease resistance.