The effect of dietary supplementation with glycine on hematological and biochemical indices of blood plasma in beluga (Huso huso)

Rearing of sturgeon is of great importance in Iran, and diet is one of its important factor. A lot of research has been executed on the nutrition of these fish, but more researches are needed to complete this knowledge. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of adding glycine to the diet on hematological parameters, protein concentration and plasma enzyme activity in beluga (Huso huso). For this purpose, the fish were fed diets enriched with 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5 and 1% glycine for 8 weeks. The results showed that the number of red blood cells, hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin concentration in 0.25% and 0.5% glycine treatment were significantly higher than the control (P < 0.05). Also, these treatments had lower alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities than the control (P < 0.05). 1% glycine treatment showed a significant increase in total plasma protein concentration, compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in MCV, MCH, MCHC, albumin, globulin, ammonia, and alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities among the treatments (P > 0.05).. Based on these results, adding 0.25-0.5% glycine to the diet of beluga can improve hematological indicators.