Effect of Lemna minor and Glycine max on haematological parameters, glucose level, total protein content and anti-oxidant enzyme activities in Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

A 90-day feeding trial was carried out to determine the comparative effect of Lemna minor and Glycine max on haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), and also glucose level in the blood; total protein content and anti-oxidant enzyme activities: catalase assay (CAT), peroxidase assay (POD), superoxide dismutase assay (SOD), lipid peroxidation assay (LPO) in different tissues (brain, liver, gills and muscles) of Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in monoculture as well as polyculture system. 35 % protein practical diets, FGM (feed containing 21 % G. max) and FLM (feed having 21 % L. minor) were prepared as a source of protein. The complete replacement of G. max with L. minor significantly increased the value of haematological parameters and glucose level in the large fingerlings of C. idella when reared with H. molitrix. Contrary results were obtained with the large fingerlings of H. molitrix when reared separately. At the end of experiment, the total protein content in muscle of large and small fingerlings of C. idella fed FLM in both monoculture and polyculture system was statistically (P < 0.05) higher as compared to fish fed FGM diet. The same trend appeared in liver, brain and gills while the liver showed significant higher (P < 0.05) increase in total protein content in both species, as compared to other tissues. CAT activities in liver showed highly significant (P < 0.05) difference among two experimental diets while in other tissues it showed no significant difference. POD, SOD activities and LPO level in tissues showed not much significant results and the values are approximately similar in both experimental diets. The present study is the first report on selected species, serve as a baseline against which future changes or nearby, regional fish species can be compared.