Effects of orally-administered Echinacea purpurea on growth indices, hematology and innate immunity in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Echinacea purpurea extract on growth indices, hematological indices and innate immunity of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). So, 120 of Siberian sturgeon with an average weight of 53.12 ± 0.08 g were divided into four groups with three replicates. The fish were fed with experimental diets containing 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% (T0%, T0.5%, T1% and T1.5%, respectively) E. purpurea extract for eight weeks. The results of this study showed that T1.5% had the highest final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor (p < 0.05). The best feed conversion ratio was also observed in T1.5% (p < 0.05). In hematological examinations, results also exhibited enhancement in all indices including white and red blood cells count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and hematological indices in all treatments and the best results were observed in T1.5% (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in innate immunity indices between the experimental treatments (p < 0.05). The highest levels of lysozyme, complement and respiratory burst activities were found in T1.5%. According to the results, adding 1.5% E. purpurea to fish diet can improve growth rate, hematological indices and innate immunity of Siberian sturgeon