Abstract
We examined the effects of the flavonoid hesperidin on nonspecific immunity gene expression, antioxidant capacity and growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei. Four isonitrogen-containing (~ 38%) diets were formulated and supplemented with hesperidin at 0 (control; T1), 100 (T2), 200 (T3), and 300 (T4) mg kg− 1. Shrimps (2.45 ± 0.17 g) were placed in 12 circular fiberglass tanks filled with 150 L of seawater, and each feed treatment was done in triplicate. Shrimps were hand-fed three times daily for 8 weeks at 7% of their original biomass. According to the results, the growth rate of shrimps T3 was significantly higher (∼2.83 g) than that of the control. The feed conversion ratio in shrimp fed hesperidin-enriched feeds was better compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Shrimps T3 and T1 showed the highest and lowest plasma biochemical parameters, respectively (P < 0.05), while the other groups had intermediate values. Shrimps T3 and T1 had the highest and lowest plasma phenoloxidase activity, respectively. Catalase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity and superoxide dismutase activity in hepatopancreas were increased by dietary hesperidin supplementation, while malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased by increasing dietary hesperidin level (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of the mRNA transcript of the genes prophenoloxidase, lysozyme, penaeidin-3α and heat shock protein 70 in the hepatopancreas of T3 was significantly higher than in the other groups. Based on the above findings, consumption of aquafeeds containing 200 mg hesperidin kg− 1 can enhance growth performance in L. vannamei juvenile by promoting antioxidant capacity and immune responses.