Premium
Influence of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on nonspecific humoral defense mechanisms and protection against furunculosis in pikeperch ( Sander lucioperca )
Author(s) -
Siwicki Andrzej K,
Zakęś Zdzisław,
Fuller John C,
Nissen Steven,
Trapkowska Sylwia,
Głąbski Edward,
Kowalska Agata,
Kazuń Krzytof,
TerechMajewska Elżbieta
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2005.01407.x
Subject(s) - biology , lysozyme , aeromonas salmonicida , in vivo , ingestion , immune system , antibody , humoral immunity , microbiology and biotechnology , defence mechanisms , immunology , endocrinology , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , biochemistry , gene
Studies have shown that in both in vitro and in vivo tests, β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) increases the nonspecific cellular and humoral immune response and protection against diseases in animals. The present study examines the influence of HMB on nonspecific humoral defense mechanisms and protection against furunculosis in pikeperch ( Sander lucioperca ). β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate was fed in a pelleted ration of 50 mg kg −1 feed day −1 for 4 weeks. Blood was drawn from 12 HMB‐fed and control‐fed pikeperch. The lysozyme and ceruloplasmin activities in the plasma, total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, and total serum protein were analysed prior to and then after 2 and 4 weeks of HMB ingestion. After 4 weeks of HMB ingestion, a challenge test was performed by injecting the fish with live pathogenic Aeromonas salmonicida bacteria. β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate at a dose of 50 mg kg −1 feed resulted in a statistically significant ( P <0.05) increase in the lysozyme activity of the plasma, total Ig, and serum protein levels. Additionally, reduced mortality (40%) after the in vivo challenge with pathogenic A. salmonicida suggested that HMB‐activated nonspecific protection against furunculosis in pikeperch.