The effect of mistletoe, Viscum album coloratum, extract on innate immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary mistletoe extracts on non-specific immune response and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Tilapia fingerlings were fed with a diet containing 0 mg as a control, 10 mg, 50 mg, and 200 mg mistletoe powder kg−1 dry diet for 80 days. The immunological parameters, respiratory burst activity, lysozyme activity, alternative complement haemolysis activity (ACH50), and phagocytic activity of fish were investigated following 20, 40 and 80 days of feeding. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila on 80 days after feeding and mortalities were checked over 10 days post-infection. The results show that fish fed with mistletoe extract exhibited an increase in activity in all immunological parameters (P < 0.05) compared to the control group depending on feeding periods and doses of mistletoe. Following challenge with A. hydrophila, 42% less survivability was observed in the control group than in other experimental diet groups. The highest survival rate (83%) was shown in the group fed with a 50 mg mistletoe kg−1 diet. The results suggest that mistletoe enables tilapia to promote immunity and be more resistant to A. hydrophila infection.

► Tilapia fed with mistletoe enhanced activities of all immunological parameters (P < 0.05).
► The group fed 50 mg mistletoe kg−1 dry diet showed the highest percentage survival (83%).
► Mistletoe stimulates the immunity and makes tilapia more resistant to Aeromonas hydrophila infection.