EVALUATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES AND THEIR AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN IMPROVING GROWTH, IMMUNITY AND MITIGATING EFFECT OF STRESS ON COMMON CARP (Cyprinus Carpio) FINGERLINGS

This study was designed to evaluate dietary Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLs) and their aqueous extract in enhancing the growth rate and immunity and decreasing the acute stress response in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings. A total of 180 fish were divided into three groups for feeding on diet1 (d1) with no additives (control), diet2 (d2) containing 10 g of MOLs/kg feed, and diet3 (d3) containing 20 mL of MOL aqueous extract/kg feed for 60 days. At the end of the feeding period, the specific growth rate (SGR) was calculated, and serum was obtained for biochemical analysis. In addition, 6 fish from each group were subjected to confinement stress for 20 min. Thereafter, locomo-tor activity, opercular movement, and plasma and water cortisol levels were measured. The d2 and d3 groups showed an increase in SGR and levels of total protein, globulin, and lysozyme, in addition to a decrease in the locomotor activity and opercular movement than d1 (control) group. MOLs and their aqueous extract had an improving effect on growth and immunity and mitigated the adverse effects of stressors in C. carpio fingerlings. Moreover, MOL aqueous extract induced a more marked effect on growth performance and stress resistance than that by MOLs.