Non-specific immune responses towards ascorbic acid supplementation in hybrid catfish (Clarias gariepinus x C. macrocephalus) feed

Abstract

The effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on the growth, liver AA concentration, non-specific immune responses, and mortality of hybrid catfish were determined. Fishes were fed with diets of group 1 (0 mg AA/kg diet), group 2 (16.5 mg AA/kg diet), group 3 (33.3 mg AA/kg diet), group 4 (70.9 mg AA/kg diet), and group 5 (100.6 mg AA/kg diet) for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks, respectively. By the end of experiment, mean body weight, wet weight gain, weight gain, and specific rate growth in the group 4 and 5 were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p<0.05).