Effects of irradiated Ergosan on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and skin mucosal immune responses in crucian carp (Carassius carassius)

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of irradiated and non-irradiated Ergosan on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and skin mucosal immune responses in crucian carp (Carassius carassius). Fish with a mean weight of 9.16±0.36g were randomly distributed among nine aquaria in triplicates and fed diets containing irradiated Ergosan at 30 kGy (1g.kg-1), non-irradiated Ergosan (1g.kg-1), or diet without any additives (control) for 40 days. Results showed that fish fed with irradiated and non-irradiated Ergosan had higher growth performance than the control (P<0.05). Mucosal biochemical parameters, including protein, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride, were not altered by feeding treatment diets compared to the control (P>0.05). Digestive enzyme activities, including intestinal alkaline phosphatase and protease, increased with both Ergosan-treated diets, especially with irradiated Ergosan to the control (P<0.05). Skin mucosal lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, and protease activities, also enhanced after administration of irradiated and non-irradiated Ergosan compared to the control (P<0.05). This study suggests that the supplementation of Ergosan, especially in irradiated form, could improve the growth performance, some digestive enzyme activities, and skin mucosal responses in crucian carp.