Effects of propolis (Trigona sp.) extract supplementation on the growth and blood profile of Pangasius djambal

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the effects of propolis extract (PE) on the growth (G), growth rate (GR), specific growth rate (SGR) and blood profile (erythrocyte, leukocyte, and hemoglobin) of catfish (Pangasius djambal). five groups of fish with three replicates, containing 10 fish each group were fed various concentration of PE, viz 2 (P1), 4 (P2), 6 (P3), 8 (P4) and 10 (P5) g kg-1 of PE in a basal diet and compared to control (C) fish without PE at a rate 3% of body weight for 4 weeks. At the end of the trial, G, GR, SGR, and blood profile (erythrocyte, leukocyte, and hemoglobin) of all groups of fish were examined. The results showed that PE in the fish diet significantly increased G, GR, SGR, erythrocyte, hemoglobin while leukocyte was not affected by dietary any concentration of PE. The dietary 10 g kg-1PE in the diet of fish showed the highest growth while the highest number of erythrocyte and hemoglobin activity was found in the fish fed 6 g kg-1 PE in the diet. These findings suggested that the inclusion of PE higher than 8 g kg-1 in the diet is beneficial to improve growth, growth rate, specific growth rate, erythrocyte and hemoglobin of Pangasius djambal