title: Feeding Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) and Astragalus membranaceus (AM) alters innate immune and physiological responses in yellow perch (Perca flavescens).
abstract: The current work assessed the potential immunomodulatory and growth-promoting effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) in Yellow perch (Perca flavescens). In this regard, fish with an average weight of 31 ± 1.0 g were divided into five groups, and fed daily with an additive-free basal diet (control); 1, 2, and 3% (w/w) Glycyrrhiza glabra, and the fifth diet was incorporated with a combination of 1% G. glabra-AM for a four-week period. Immunological, biochemical and growth parameters were measured; and sub-groups of fish were exposed to 1-week starvation. The results showed that incorporating AM and liquorice in the diet significantly improved Immunological [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), Lipid peroxidase (LPx) and lysozyme activities], biochemical [Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activities; and glucose and cortisol concentrations] and growth performance parameters [body mass gain (BMG), specific growth rate (SGR), length, condition factor (K) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)]. In addition, markedly up-regulated the expression of related genes [Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), Serum amyloid A (SAA), Complement Component C3 (CCC3), Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M), SOD and GPx] in treated fish groups compared to the control. Conclusively, feeding AM and liquorice diets significantly increased (P < 0.05) growth performance, antioxidant and immune response profiles throughout the entire experiment, suggesting their beneficial rule as natural anti-stress agents.
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, The Ohio State University South Centers, Piketon, OH, 45661, USA; Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, 13736, Egypt. Electronic address: hiam_abd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hiam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elabd
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, The Ohio State University South Centers, Piketon, OH, 45661, USA. Electronic address: wang.900@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Han-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, 13736, Egypt. Electronic address: shaheen_aa@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, The Ohio State University South Centers, Piketon, OH, 45661, USA. Electronic address: yao.63@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, 13736, Egypt. Electronic address: amanyabbass3@fvtm.bu.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Amany
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbass
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000737:chemistry*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000737:chemistry*; D010471:Perches / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology
keywords: Astragalus membranaceus; Gene expression; Glycyrrhiza glabra; Growth performance; Immune response; Starvation; Yellow perch