Effect of orally administration of Lactoferrin, β-glucan and Nigella sativa on the growth indexes and hematological and immunological parameters in common carp Cyprinus carpio

In order to compare the herbal and chemical immunity stimulants, the effect of orally administration of Lactoferrin, β-glucan and Nigela sativa</em> on growth indexes and hematological and immunological parameters in common carp was studied. 300 fingerling (3±0.02 g), were fed with control food (without immune stimulant) and food treatments include 20 mg lactoferrin, 10 mg  β-glucan and 50 mg Nigela sativa</em> powder in kg of food for sixty days. Based on the results, the highest amounts of weight increase, specific growth rate and condition factor were obtained in the glucan treatment. The survival rate was above 80 percent, without significant difference, in all treatments (P>0.05). Also, all treatments include immune stimulant, showed significant difference in food conversion rate (FCR) compare to control group (P<0.05). The minimum amount of FCR and the maximum amount of protein coefficient were obtained in glucan treatment. The higher numbers of red and white blood cells and the higher amounts of hemoglobin and hematocrit were observed in glucan and the lower were observed in the control group. The higher and the lower rate of lysozyme enzyme activity were related to glucan (5.38± 0.18) and control treatments (3.19± 0.05) respectively. While the percentage of neutrophil and monocytes were higher in glucan treatment, the highest percentage of lymphocytes was observed in lactoferrin treatment (73.66± 0.57). So, compare to the other stimulants, glucan can be used as a growth and immunity stimulant in common carp.