Effect of Caraway (Carum carvi) on Growth Factors and Some Blood Parameters in Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of caraway seeds meal (CSM), as natural feed additives on growth performance and some blood parameters of common carp (2.457±0.057 g). Fish were divided into four groups fed on diets containing CSM in different levels; 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5% and the experiment extended for ten weeks. The CSM supplementation enhanced significantly fish growth over the control diet (P<0.05). Results showed that fish fed diets containing 1 % CSM had significantly higher growth performance (weight gain, gain % specific growth rate (SGR) and the lowest fish growth was obtained at control diet. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased significantly in diet containing 1 % CSM (P<0.05). WBC levels decreased significantly in fish fed with dietary caraway compared with control treatment (P>0.05).There is also no significant difference between RBC, HCT and HGB in experimental groups (P>0.05). In addition, there were significant differences between biochemical parameters in fish fed with dietary caraway compared with control treatment (P<0.05). The highest levels of glucose and cholesterol were observed in control treatment and the highest level of total protein was observed in diet containing 1 % CSM. The results of this study show that addition of caraway to fish diet can promote growth and improve fish health.