Abstract

EFFECT OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF ANNONA SQUAMOSA ON CLARIAS BATRACHUS FISH INFECTED WITH AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA WITH REFERENCE TO HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Runa Paul*, Asha Khanna, Daya Shankar Gautam, Rita Bhandari, Divya Patel, Pranjul Nigam

Abstract

Fish culture plays a vital role in fulfilling demand of human. In India fresh water fishes are prone to bacterial infection. To increase the productivity of healthy fishes the bacterial infected fishes are treated with an antibiotic which cure the disease but have an adverse effect also. The plant parts are usually considered as harmless and can be used as a good replacement for antibiotics. Annona squamosa leaf is well known for its antibacterial property. The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of leaf of Annona squamosa in fresh water fish Clarias batrachus challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fishes (weight 110-160g) were divided into four groups (n=21). The fishes of control and experimental groups I, II III & IV were bathed in various concentration of (5ml) 25%, (10ml) 50% and (15ml) 100% of 15ml of leaf extract in 15litre of aquarium water for 30 days and then challenged with A. hydrophila. After 30 days of exposure of fishes in control and experimental groups, haematological parameters were evaluated. They were post-challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila and again haematological parameters was analysed after 15 days. It was observed that the fishes bathed in various concentrations and fed with supplemented diet showed decline in the total erythrocyte counts and haemoglobin content after infection irrespective of the administration of bath dose. However, experimental fishes exposed in 100% concentration of aqueous leaf extract of Annona squamosa showed increase in haemoglobin. Further it was observed that fishes exposed in 25%, 50% and 100% concentration of aqueous leaf extract of Annona squamosa demonstrated increased in total leucocyte counts (TLC) and Differential leucocyte counts in infected fishes which can be regarded as a sign of improvement in immune response. Thus it was observed that after the application of various concentration 25%, 50% and 100% of aqueous leaf extract of Annona squamosa in experimental fishes can act as an immunostimulator.

Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila, Immunostimulant, Annona squamosa, Clarias batrachus, Haematology.