Oregano () Extract Enhances Zebrafish () Growth Performance, Serum and Mucus Innate Immune Responses and Resistance against Challenge.

This study evaluated the dietary effects of an ultrasound-assisted extract of on the growth, antioxidant and immune responses (serum and mucosal) and resistance of zebrafish () against . Four hundred and forty adult zebrafish were distributed into 12 tanks and fed 4 experimental diets including 0% (control), 0.5% (M1), 1% (M2) and 2% (M3) of the extract per kg diet for eight weeks. Fish were then challenged with and mortality was recorded for 10 days. Results revealed that the extract exerted potent effects on growth parameters of weight gain and specific growth rate. The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in fish fed extract-incorporated diets. extract improved antioxidant and immune responses, resulting in less sensitivity to oxidative stress and a higher survival rate when challenged with . Overall, the greatest effects were observed in individuals with 1% dietary inclusion of the extract. These results suggest that the extract from the plant possesses a great potential to be used in the aquaculture industry and that zebrafish is an appropriate model for nutrition studies.