Effects of Muscari comosum Extract on Nonspecific Immune Parameters in Gilthead Seabream, Sparus aurata (L. 1758)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Muscari comosum (L.) Mill. 1768, geophyte plant extract on some nonspecific immune parameters of gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata (L. 1758). For this purpose, the plant was collected and extracted in ethanol solvent. Three different fish groups were formed, and each group was duplicated (total 300 fish). The plant extract was applied to the fish by intraperitoneal injection in two different concentrations (0.5 mg/fish and 2 mg/fish). Following injections on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th d, blood samples were collected from each group. Some of the nonspecific immune parameters in blood and serum samples such as leukocyte level, phagocytic activity (NBT (+) cells), lysozyme activity, and the percentage of white blood cells were determined. The results indicate that in line with the parameters observed, the group given 0.5 mg/fish was not as effective as the one given 2 mg/fish but more effective than the control group. The nonspecific immune parameters of blood samples of the gilthead seabream in the 2 mg/fish experimental group showed that maximum levels on measured parameters of blood were reached at the first week postinjection. The applied concentrations of plant extract did not inhibit growth performance in any of the groups.