Garlic powder supplementation: Effects on nutrient utilization and haematological parameters of sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, sauvage, 1878) Patel P. P.1, Borichangar R. V.1, Patel V. R.2,*, Timbadia S. C.1 1College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Navsari - 396450, Gujarat, India 2College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Navsari - 396450, Gujarat, India *Correspondence: vrpatel@kamdhenuuni.edu.in
Online published on 22 March, 2023. Abstract The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of garlic supplementation on nutrients utilization and haematological assay on Sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, sauvage, 1878). In first part of experiment total 500 number of P.hypophthalmus fingerlings with mean body weight (BW) of 27.74 ±1.46g and 134 ±1.41 mm of length (l) were distributed in four dietary treatment group with five replica in each as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively for a period of 60 days to access the nutrient utilization. In second part of the study, the same number at the P.hypophthalmus juveniles with 202.67 ±10.32 g BW and 270 ±4.27 mm were reared for 45 days to evaluate haematological parameters. In both the parts of the study the experimental fishes were supplemented with garlic (Allium sativum) powder (GP) in diet at the rate of 0, 1, 2 and 3%, respectively and reared in FRP tanks of 100 lit capacities for respective periods. Results revealed that significantly higher (P<0.05) feed assimilation efficiency (FAE), apparent digestibility co-efficient (%, ADC), nitrogen utilization (%) and digestible energy (kcal/g) was observed in T3 group supplemented with 2% GP. Significant changes in major blood biochemical and haematological parameters were observed on 45thday of experiment, where higher (P>0.05) values were observed for red blood cells (RBC), thrombocytes, packed cell volume (PCV), and haemoglobin (Hb) and lower (P<0.05) at 2% GP supplementation, however PCV and mean corpuscular value (MCV) were found higher at 3% GP supplementation (T4 group). No significant effect (P>0.05) of GP supplementation was revealed for monocyte, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). It was concluded that 2% GP supplementation improves the feed utilization and health of Sutchi catfish. Top Keywords Digestibility, Garlic, Haematological Parameters, Nutrient utilization, Sutchi Catfish. Top |