Immune-enhancing Activity of Potential Probiotic Strains of in the Common Carp () Fingerling.

INTRODUCTION

Immune-potentiating functions of strains in the common carp were evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fourteen days of feeding fish dry diet supplemented with the bacteria provided parameters of nonspecific humoral immunity (lysozyme, ceruloplasmin, γ-globulin, total protein levels, and serum bactericidal activity) and cellular immunity (pinocytosis, respiratory burst activity, and potential killing activity of organ phagocytes), as well as the proliferative response of organ lymphocytes stimulated with mitogens. The resistance of fish to infection with was also determined.

RESULTS

Dietary supplementation with had a substantial influence on the activity of organ phagocytes, especially the potential killing activity of head kidney cells. A significant increase in the proliferative activity of LPS-stimulated B lymphocytes and in the levels of γ-globulins and total protein was observed. The supplemented diet conveyed higher resistance than the control diet as the cumulative fish mortalities after infection with were 65% and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that dietary supplementation with stimulates the antibacterial resistance of common carp and may reinforce defence against bacterial infections, but further studies need to be conducted.