BACKGROUND: The use of natural immune stimulants is one of the most effective methods for strengthening immunity and preventing diseases in fish. OBJECTIVES: Due to the abundance of red algae (Laurencia caspica) in the Caspian Sea, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this algae on growth performance and blood indices of rainbow trout. METHODS: The present study was performed on 750 randomly selected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in 5 experimental treatments including an algal extract-free diet (control), and diets supplemented with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% of algal hydroalcoholic extract. During the experimental period, fish were sampled to measure growth performance and blood indices every two week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices were not affected by the algal extract at the end of eight weeks of feeding. There were no significant differences in fish survival at different treatments. Total counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin concentration and neutrophil and monocyte percentages were affected by algal extract with significant increases compared to the control group (p < /em><0.05). Results of serum biochemistry showed that significantly increased total protein, albumin and globulin and also significantly reduced ALT, AST and ALP compared to the control in rainbow trout. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study oral use of red algae (L. caspica) as an immune stimulant in rainbow trout (O. mykiss) was recommended.

BACKGROUND: Replacement of natural materials with syntheticdrugs in order to increase production and safety. OBJECTIVE: The purposeof this study was to investigate the effect of feed supplemented with ginger (Zingiberofficinale) extract on the growth, biochemical and hemato-immunologicalparameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). METHODS: Fishwith an average body weight 14.1±0.2 g were fed diet for 8 weeks with 0.5% and1% ginger extract and with unsupplemented commercial diet as the control. Bloodsamples were collected from caudal vein from apparently healthy fish at the endof trial. Growth (weight gain, specific growth ratio and condition factor),hematological (RBC,WBC, Hb, Hct, monocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil),Biochemical (glucose, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, AST,ALT, LDH and ALP) and immunological (lysozym activity, ACH50,IgM, and SOD)parameters were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that there wereno significant differences (p>0.05) in growth, hematological, biochemicaland metabolic enzymes between fish fed control and ginger extractsupplementation. The lowest level of cortisol was observed in 0.5% gingerextract (p<0.05). Lysozyme activity was significantly increased in 0.5%ginger extract fed fish (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggestthat by using 0.5% ginger extract there will be an improvement in growth andimmune function of rainbow trout

BACKGROUND: Balance in the amount of minerals in the aquatic animal’s diet is very important. Phosphorus is one of the most important minerals in fish and aquatic animal’s nutrition. Phosphorus is important not only for the proper growth and fish health, but also for excessive phosphorus excretion that may cause water pollution and algal bloom. OBJECTIVE: In this study the effects of adding monoammonium phosphate in the diet of fish (Cyprinus carpio Koi) and its comparison with monocalcium phosphate were investigated. METHODS: 650 koi fish weighing 17 g were distributed in 15 tanks (5 treatments - each in three replicates) and mono-ammonium phosphate-fed diets at three levels (0.75, 1.5 and 3% of the diet), monocalcium phosphate in one level (3% of the diet) and a control group (no phosphorus supplementation) were fed for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices and feed conversion ratio in fish fed 3% monoammonium phosphate showed the best results. The control group showed the lowest weight gain and the highest feed conversion ratio. Blood phosphorus was also significantly correlated with increasing monoammonium phosphate. The highest level of calcium in the blood was observed in the group fed monocalcium phosphate (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the improvement of growth and nutrition indices, adding 1.5 to 3% monoammonium phosphate in the diet of koi fish was suggested.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics and prebiotics are the most important bioactive compounds for aquatic health. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effects of prebiotic (immunowall) and probiotic (primalac) were assessed on growth performance, survival, body composition, and blood biochemical parameters in the Caspian Sea common carp Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. METHODS: Juveniles (n = 100 per tank, 21 tanks) were distributed in four inclusion levels (each in three treatments) of 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15% of immunowall and primalac inclusions for a period of 56 days. Growth, body composition, and hematological parameters have been evaluated in different inclusion levels at the end of culture period. RESULTS: The increment of body weight, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio in fish fed with diets containing 0.15% prebiotic and 0.1% probiotic improved considerably compared to other treatments. The survival rate of the juveniles was not significant between treatments, and the group fed with the pre- and probiotics revealed higher survivals. Protein content in the group fed with the pre- and probiotic showed significantly higher contents compared to the control group, and lipid content showed increasing trend in different inclusions. The red blood cells contents showed no differences between treatments; but the white blood cells contents revealed higher performances in the fish-fed probiotics compared to prebiotic and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results recommend the addition of 0.1 % immunowall and 0.15 % primalac in the diets of the juveniles in terms of growth, feeding, and hematological indicators in the Caspian carp.

BACKGROUND: Enzymes are organic catalysts that trigger and/or accelerate chemical reactions. OBJECTIVES: This research was done to compare the separate and combined levels of commercial multienzymes on feeding efficiency and carcass chemical composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). METHODS: Total number of 96 common carp fingerlings weighing 13.06±2.56g were distributed in six treatments including control (without multienzyme), 1 g/kg Combo, 1.5 g/kg Combo, 1 g/kg Natuzyme Plus, 1.5 g/kg Natuzyme Plus and mixture of 1g/kg Combo+1 g/kg Natuzyme Plus in two replicates for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices such as the final weight, percentage of body weight increase, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio and average daily growth in treatment 1g/kg Natuzyme Plus showed significant differences compared to other experimental treatments (P<0.05). Also, all experimental treatments had better condition in comparison with the control. The highest condition factor was seen in fish fed 1.5 g/kg Natuzyme Plus which showed significant difference with 1.5 g/kg Combo (P<0.05). Common carp fingerlings fed mixture of Combo+Natuzyme Plus recorded a slight increase in protein content of carcass compared to other dietary treatments. Fish fed multienzymes had less (P>0.05) lipid content of carcass in comparison with the control. There was no significant difference in ash and moisture contents of carcass (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to results, it can be stated that Natuzyme Plus at the level of 1.5 g/kg can be effective in improvement of growth performance and feed efficiency in farmed common carp fingerlings.

Two diets similar in caloric density and mineral content, but markedly different in protein content, were used to study the effects of dietary protein on renal function and morphologic and histopathologic changes in dogs that had functional renal tissue reduced by seven-eighths nephrectomy. The effects of moderate protein intake (MPrI = 15% protein; dry-matter basis) and high-protein intake (HPrI = 31% protein; dry-matter basis) were studied for the initial 7 months (period 1 [P1]) after renal mass reduction. Diets were then switched between groups during the following 7 months (period 2 [P2]) to evaluate the effects of increased or decreased protein intake. The HPrI caused significantly (P < 0.05) greater glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal growth than did MPrI during P1. Dogs that maintained HPrI during P1 and MPrI during P2 (group 1) had significant (P < 0.05) reduction in GFR during P2. Dogs that maintained MPrI during P1 and HPrI during P2 (group 2) had significant (P < 0.05) improvement in GFR and renal growth during P2. At the end of the study, renal reserve was evaluated in both groups of dogs before and after group 1 was returned to HPrI for 2 weeks. During this 2-week feeding trial, group-1 dogs had marked improvement in renal reserve, relative to group 2, and GFR increased to the terminal P1 values. Results indicate a possible residual benefit from HPrI during the early phase of compensatory renal growth in the form of functional compensatory memory to HPrI. The severity of renal lesions was indistinguishable between dogs of dietary groups during both study phases. Plasma electrolyte concentrations rapidly returned to normal range after renal ablation, but mild azotemia and proteinuria persisted throughout most of the study. High protein intake was not associated with increased degree or progression of proteinuria.

Biplanar radiography was used to study normal growth of the left and right radius in 5 Beagles and growth of the left radius alone in 15 additional Beagles. We explored the applicability of this radiographic method in veterinary medicine by measuring the contribution to total radius length from each growth plate. Spherical tantalum markers (0.5 mm) were embedded in the proximal epiphysis, diaphysis, and distal epiphysis of each dog's radius at 10 weeks of age. Simultaneous biplanar radiographic views were obtained every 4 weeks until skeletal maturity was documented. A three-dimensional coordinate system was constructed allowing for measurement of growth (in millimeters). Resolution of the measuring system was 0.074 mm. Mean +/- SEM length of the skeletally mature Beagle's radius, as measured from proximal epiphyseal bead to distal epiphyseal bead, was 95.33 +/- 1.07 mm. The percentage of contribution to the total radius length from the proximal and distal growth plates was 36.76 and 64.73%, respectively, with 95% confidence interval of 2.29%. The percentage of contribution to radius length from the distal radial growth plate increased for each consecutive time segment, with the distal radial physis contributing 61.75% from 10 to 14 weeks of age and increasing to 70.22% from 22 to 26 weeks of age. Significant growth was not observed after 26 weeks of age. The period of most rapid growth was between 10 and 14 weeks of age. Biplanar radiography was accurate and precise in quantifying the relative contribution of the proximal and distal growth plate to radius length in Beagles. The method is applicable in veterinary research or clinical medicine for monitoring of axial and angular growth: physiologic, iatrogenic, or pathologic.