Effects of Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharide on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Body Composition and Haematological Parameters in Asian Catfish (Clarias batrachus) Juveniles

Abstract

The influence of dietary supplementation of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and haematological parameters were evaluated in Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus) juveniles. Triplicate groups of juveniles Asian catfish (21.23 ± 1.01 g) were fed twice per day at 3 % of body weight for 12 weeks, with 0 (control), 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6% MOS diets. Compared to control, those fed with MOS supplemented diets had significantly improved (P<0.05) specific growth rates, protein efficiency ratio and survival rate. Significantly lower hepatosomatic index was noted in 0.2% and 0.4% MOS diets compared to those fish fed control. Similarly, intraperitoneal fat was significantly lowest in those fish fed with 0.4% diet over the control group. The highest protein content was (81.86±0.36) in fish fed with 0.4% MOS diet, whereas ash content was highest (7.33±1.23) in fish group fed with 0.6% MOS. Significantly decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and increased packed cell volume were observed when the fish fed with 0.4% and 0.6% MOS diets compared to the remaining treatments. MOS supplemented diets showed significant influence on the white blood cell count compared to the control. Thus, 0.4% MOS is sufficient to improve growth and haematological parameters in Asian catfish.