Growth response, nutrient utilization, biochemical and hematological parameters of juvenile african catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed diet supplemented with gongronema latifolia (benth) extract.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of varying levels of Gongronema latifolia on growth, nutrient utilization, biochemical and hematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. One hundred and five (105) juveniles were equally distributed in fifteen plastics tanks and each triplicated. Three inclusion levels of the plant extract (150mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg) were prepared, while the antibiotics served as negative control and the diet without any inclusion served as the positive control. The fish meal was supplemented with Gongronema latifolia (benth) extract and the control diets were fed to satisfaction, while the tank water was changed every other day. The weight gained and feed intakes of the fish were determined at the end of every week and the growth parameters were evaluated. Growth parameters showed that the highest value was recorded in treatment 4 (300mg) 226.07±9.96 for the final weight gained, while the lowest was observed in treatment 5(500mg) was 165.47±31.55. Supplementation of fish feed on Gongronema latifolia did not cause any adverse effects on biomarkers of liver toxicity and oxidative stress. Monocytes and lymphocytes concentration were significantly reduced with no alteration in red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration. This study showed that the supplementation of Clarias gariepinus juvenile diet with G. latifolia extract promoted growth and weight gain in the fish stock with no toxic effect on the liver and oxidative stress.