Comparative impact of replacing fish meal with azolla on growth, water quality, and physiology of red tilapia fingerlings at varying salinities.

A 210-day experiment to assess the efficacy of substituting azolla plant powder at levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60% for fish meal on red tilapia fingerlings (RTF, initial weight of 18.23 ± 0.12 g) performance under salinity levels of 5, 18, and 28ppt. Among the various conditions, RTF-fed 20% azolla at 28 and 5ppt salinity showcased the highest specific growth rate (SGR), whereas the lowest SGR was observed in fish-fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity. Upon azolla incorporation, noteworthy elevations in phytoplankton, zooplankton, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, NH3, and NO3 were noted and conversely, azolla introduction led to decreased NH4 and NO2 concentrations in all salinity levels. Further, a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between azolla levels and water salinity (S×A) significantly impacted the hematological parameters of RTF. The highest levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total protein (TP) were found in RTF-fed 20% azolla at 28ppt salinity, while the lowest CAT and TP levels occurred in RTF-fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity. The highest aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were recorded in the RTF group fed 60% azolla at 5ppt salinity, with the lowest values seen in the group given 20% azolla at 28ppt salinity. RTF fed a 20% azolla diet at 18ppt salinity exhibited the highest lysozyme value, in contrast to the lowest value observed in the RTF group fed the control diet at 18ppt salinity. In conclusion, this study recommends the utilization of azolla at inclusion levels ranging from 20 to 40%, as it has the potential to notably enhance the immune system and elevate the survival rate of RTF.

Dietary supplement of fermented grass forage regulates growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune response of broiler chickens.

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of fermented Juncao grass (FG) on growth parameters, blood constituents, immunity, and antioxidative properties of broilers. A total of 240 (21-d-old) broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments of sixty birds, with six replicate pens and ten birds in each. Fermented grass was added to the basal diet at four levels with 0, 5, 10, and 15% FG. The results revealed that broilers fed 5% FG had significantly higher (P < 0.05) final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (WG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The best conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded for broilers supplemented with 5% FG compared to the group supplemented with 15% FG (P < 0.05). Increasing FG % decreased (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10. However, FG increased (P < 0.05) proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-12, and TNF-α (P < 0.05). Moreover, IgA, IgG, and IgM levels increased (P < 0.05) with increasing FG %. In addition, increasing FG % in broiler rations significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum antioxidant levels of T-AOC, GSH-PX, SOD, CAT, NO and GSH, but decreased (P < 0.05) MDA levels compared to the control group. Conclusively, fermented Juncao grass would be considered a novel herbal feed additive for improving broiler performance, immunity, antioxidant, and health status. Nevertheless, further research at the molecular level is needed to quantify the effects of these herbal components on cellular and humoral immune functions in broiler chickens.