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Roles of increasing dietary minerals ingrowth and immune indices in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
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Gholamreza Rafiee   , Ebrahim Motaghi , ٍEisa Ebrahimi * |
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Abstract: (5 Views) |
| In this study, a completely randomized experimental design was conducted to determine, the effects of dietary mineral supplementation on growth, hematological, and immunological parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated within a zero-water-exchange recirculating system. A base mineral mixture (representing 100% of the concentration required for plant growth in a standard hydroponic system, (excluding nitrogen) was prepared; experimental treatments were consisted of varying supplementation levels: a control group (no mineral supplementation), Treatment 2 (50% of the base level), and Treatment 3 (100% of the basel level), with the minerals incorporated into the feed during the manufacturing process.. A total of 180 tilapia fish (mean weight: 30 ± 3.8 g) were assigned to nine experimental units (comprising three treatments and three replicates). Dietary supplementation with varying levels of minerals had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on final weight, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, condition factor, and specific growth rate compared to the control group. Improvements were observed in hematological parameters such as increased red blood cell counts and hematocrit levels as well as in immune system function, evidenced by enhanced serum lysozyme, bactericidal, and complement activities. Villus diameter of gut decreased in Diet 2 but increased in Diet 3 compared to the control, showing a significant increase (P<0.05) in Diet 3. An increase in the number of goblet cells was observed in Diet 3, accompanied by mucus secretion and slight villus adhesion; furthermore, a higher number of goblet cells, increased mucus secretion, and a thicker muscular layer were noted in Treatment 3. Histological studies of the intestine also revealed that increasing the dietary minerals alters intestinal structure of the intestinal villi. These results indicated that increasing the minerals up to 100%, in the tilapia diet did not affect fish survival rate, and the observed histological and immunological changes remained within a tolerable range for the tilapia viability. |
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| Keywords: Tilapia, diet, minerals, hematological indices, immune system. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/09/16 | Accepted: 2026/09/27 | Published: 2026/09/27
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