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The influence of coconut oil on the growth, immune, and antioxidative responses and the intestinal digestive enzymes and histomorphometry features of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

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Abstract

The trials of finding non-conventional and alternative aquafeed ingredients are increasing. In this sense, this study evaluated the influence of coconut oil on the growth, feed utilization, immune, and antioxidative responses of Nile tilapia. Five test diets were formulated by mixing coconut oil with the other ingredients at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% of the total ration and presented for tilapia for 60 successive days. The final weight, SGR, weight gain (WG), and feed intake were superior in fish delivered 2% of coconut oil (P < 0.05). Concurrently, fish that received 2% coconut oil had lower FCR and higher PER than fish of the control and 4% groups (P < 0.05). Higher lipase activity was observed in fish of 2% and 3% levels than the remaining groups (P < 0.05). Besides, the amylase and protease activities of fish in 1%, 2%, and 3% groups were higher than the 0% level (P < 0.05). The total blood cholesterol, RBCs, and PCV showed higher values in Nile tilapia fed 2% and 3% coconut oil (P < 0.05). The lysozyme and phagocytic activities were higher in fish fed 2% and 3% levels than the control (P < 0.05), while the phagocytic index in 2% and 3% levels was higher than 0% and 4% levels. Furthermore, SOD and CAT were higher in fish fed 1%, 2%, and 3% than fish fed 0% and 4% levels while GSH was higher in fish of 1%, 2%, and 3% than fish fed 0% level (P < 0.05). However, the MDA level was markedly lower in fish fed 25, 3%, and 4% coconut oil than the 0% level (P < 0.05). The intestine’s histological structure in all groups appeared normal, forming of intestinal villi projecting from the intestinal wall. Also, the structure of the hepatopancreas had a normal architecture in all groups. To sum up, the inclusion of coconut oil at 2 to 3% is recommended as a replacer for fish oil in Nile tilapia diets.

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The data and materials that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

The current work was funded by Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP - 2020/57), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. This research work was partially supported by Chiang Mai University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt

    Mahmoud A. O. Dawood, Mohamed F. Ali & Mona M. Mahmoud

  2. Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research, Abbassa, Sharkia, Sakha Aquaculture Research Unit, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt

    Asem A. Amer

  3. Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt

    Mahmoud S. Gewaily

  4. Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamed Alkafafy

  5. Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt

    Doaa H. Assar

  6. Fish Nutrition Laboratory, Aquaculture Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt

    Ali A. Soliman

  7. Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Hien Van Doan

  8. Science and Technology Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, 239 Huay Keaw Rd., Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Hien Van Doan

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  1. Mahmoud A. O. Dawood
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  2. Mohamed F. Ali
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  3. Asem A. Amer
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  4. Mahmoud S. Gewaily
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  5. Mona M. Mahmoud
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  6. Mohamed Alkafafy
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  7. Doaa H. Assar
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  8. Ali A. Soliman
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  9. Hien Van Doan
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Contributions

Mahmoud A.O. Dawood, Mohamed F. Ali, Asem A. Amer, Mahmoud S. Gewaily, Mona M. Mahmoud, Mohamed Alkafafy, Doaa H. Assar, Ali A. Soliman, and Hien Van Doan carried out the experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. Mahmoud A.O. Dawood, Asem A. Amer, Mahmoud S. Gewaily, Mona M. Mahmoud, and Ali A. Soliman sampled and contributed reagents/materials. Mahmoud A.O. Dawood, Mohamed Alkafafy, and Hien Van Doan revised the manuscript. Mahmoud A.O. Dawood, Mohamed F. Ali, and Asem A. Amer conceived the study and designed the experiments. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hien Van Doan.

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Dawood, M.A.O., Ali, M.F., Amer, A.A. et al. The influence of coconut oil on the growth, immune, and antioxidative responses and the intestinal digestive enzymes and histomorphometry features of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish Physiol Biochem 47, 869–880 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-021-00943-8

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