Effects of Dietary Thiamine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes’ Activity, and Biochemical Parameters of Beluga, Huso huso, Larvae

Abstract

Thiamine is a crucial nutrient in larval stage of fish, and thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary thiamine supplementation on survival, growth performance, and biochemical parameters of beluga, Huso huso, larvae. The fish larvae (50 ± 4.5 mg) were fed diets containing 0 (control), 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg thiamine for 26 days from 18 days after hatching to 44 days after hatching. Thiamine significantly increased the larvae survival, growth rate, digestive enzymes activity, and whole body protein and ash but decreased the whole body lipid and moisture $\left(P<0.001\right.$ ). Also, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were decreased significantly in thiamine-treated groups ( $P<0.05$ ). The highest survival and whole body ash were observed in 20 mg/kg thiamine treatment; the highest whole body protein and lipase activity were observed in 10 mg/kg thiamine treatment. The highest growth rate, amylase, and lowest whole body lipid, alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed in 10 and 20 mg/kg thiamine treatments. All thiamine-treated fish exhibited similar pepsin and chymotrypsin activities, all above the control fish. There were no significant effects of dietary thiamine supplementation on trypsin, whole body lysozyme, alternative complement (ACH50), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, and IgM levels. According to the results, 10–20 mg/kg dietary thiamine supplementation can increase the performance of beluga larvae by improving the health of liver and the activity of digestive system.