Effects of additive iron on growth, tissue distribution, haematology and immunology of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata

Abstract

The comparative effects of iron-supplemented levels on growth, tissue distribution, haematology and immunology of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata (2 g) were investigated, using four organic (50, 100, 200, 300 mg ORG/kg diet) and one inorganic iron source (200 INOR mg/kg diet). Fish were treated for 12 weeks with the experimental diets and maintained at a water temperature of 19-22°C. Growth (final weight and specific growth rate), tissue distribution (spleen, liver and muscle), haematological parameters (red blood cells, haematocrit, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) and non-specific immune indexes (respiratory burst activity and antibacterial activity of serum) were analysed. No significant differences were found in growth and iron tissue distribution among the tested groups. Red blood cell counting was statistically higher in fish given 50 ORG, 100 ORG, 200 ORG and 200 INOR feeds. However, haematocrit, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not significantly affected by increasing dietary iron. Fish receiving the 100 ORG diet had the best performance with respect to the respiratory burst activity and significantly higher values for antibacterial activity of serum were obtained in fish fed with the 300 ORG diet. The present findings provided no clear evidence of the optimum iron concentration. However, there was adequate indication that iron supplementation enhanced the performance of gilthead sea bream, mainly from a haematological and immunological point of view.

Erythrocytes in teleost fishes: a review

“…A significant effect of the lipid source on erythrocyte count was confirmed by Demska-Zakęś et al (2012) for Tinca tinca. Rigos et al (2010) reported an increase in RBC of S. aurata fed with food supplemented with iron. A positive effect of probiotic supplementation on the RBC value of Astronotus ocellatus was reported by Firouzbakhsh et al (2011).…”

Strong effect of long-term Sparicotyle chrysophrii infection on the cellular and innate immune responses of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata

“…The hemoglobin concentration was determined using a miniaturized version of the Drabkin method (Rigos et al, 2010).…”

Novel insights into iron regulation and requirement in marine medaka Oryzias melastigma

“…Rigos et al 4. fed the Gilthead seabream with Fe supplementary feed (i.e., 5–309 mg Fe/kg feed) for 12 weeks, but no significant difference was detected in growth and tissue Fe distribution among different Fe treatments4. Similar results were also found in the Fe nutritional studies on Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ), yellowtail ( Seriola quinqueradiata ), tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus×O.…”

“…Over a certain supplementary level (typically >30 mg Fe/kg feed), the dose-dependent response was not obvious in most of the feeding experiments2. Rigos et al 4. fed the Gilthead seabream with Fe supplementary feed (i.e., 5–309 mg Fe/kg feed) for 12 weeks, but no significant difference was detected in growth and tissue Fe distribution among different Fe treatments4.…”