Effects of dietary trehalose on the growth performance and nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of trehalose on the growth performance and nonspecific immunity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei). The shrimps were randomly divided into four groups, i.e. control group fed with normal commercial diet and three treatment groups fed with trehalose-containing diets (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g kg−1) and experimental diets during a 12-week breeding experiment. Oral trehalose administration significantly improved the body weight; food efficiency; survival rate; phenoloxidase activity; superoxide dismutase activity; glutathione peroxidase level; total haemocyte count; hyaline, semigranular and granular cell numbers; and disease resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus relative to those of the control group (p < 0.05). However, a high level (1.5 g kg−1) of trehalose supplement did not further increase the efficiency compared with the moderate dose (1 g kg−1). Results indicated that trehalose exerted immunostimulatory effects on Pacific white shrimps (L. vannamei) and may be used as a diet supplement for the crustaceans.