Effects of aqueous and acetone extracts of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) leaves on responses of immune system in farmed western white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected to Vibrio harveyi

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous and acetone extracts of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) leaves on the responses of the immune system in the farmed western white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected to Vibrio harveyi. Shrimps were randomly divided into 10 groups: 3 groups treated with the aqueous extracts at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg respectively, 3 groups treated with Estonian extracts at concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg respectively, 2 groups selected as negative control groups and 2 groups as positive controls. Experimental groups were randomly tested in triplicates over a 40-day period. The parameters of immune responses of shrimp samples were measured at three-time points of baseline (day 0), midterm (day 20), and end line (day 40). The results of this study showed that the administration of acetone extract of Persian walnut leaves at a concentration of 200 mg/kg caused a significant change in total hemocyte count, differential hemocyte count, and total plasma protein levels in the western white shrimp (p≤0.05). The results indicated that the walnut leaf extract can be used as a supplement to shrimp farming because of its cost-effectiveness and availability, and can significantly increase the productivity of shrimp farms.