Role of Immunostimulants in aquaculture
In the tropical countries aflatoxicosis is an important problem which seriously affects fish production. Recent approach of use of immunostimulant in feed, viz., glucan, levamisole, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol, will be of immense help to farmers to combat aflatoxin-induced immunosuppression and other stressful situations in fish culture operations to enhance production.
A good number of natural or synthetic substances have been tried in channel catfish and rainbow trout, mostly. Out of which b -1, 3 glucan levamisole, chitosan, ascorbic acid and a -tocopherol have already been evaluated for carps.Research on this aspect is going on.
Immunostimulants will be most effective for short-lived fish living in cool and cold water because the development of a specific immune response is temperature-dependent.
Use of immunostimulants in Indian carps is an active area of research.
Advantages of immunostimulants in aquaculture:
- Effective and friendly user substances,
- No side effects,
- Develop resistance against various diseases
- Provide wide range of protection
- Locally available
Immunostimulants act through following mechanisms
- Stimulators of T-lymphocytes-levamisole, Freund’s complete adjuvant, glucans, muramyl dipeptide.
- Stimulators of B-cells-lipopoly-saccharides.
- Inflammatory agents inducing chemotaxis-silica and carbon particles.
- Cell membrane modifiers-detergents, sodium dodecylsulphate,quaternary ammonium compounds,saponins.
- Nutritional factors-vitamins C and E.
- Cytokines-leukotriene, interferon
- Heavy metals-cadmium
- Animal and fish extracts, mitogen.
In general, immunostimulants enhance the activity of macrophages, complements, phagocytes, lymphocyte, and non-specific cytotoxic cells, resulting in resistance and protection to various diseases.
Agri.
Yellow Pages
Resources
(Fish Production)
