The effects of vitamins C and E on the growth, tissue accumulation and prophylactic response to thermal and acidic stress of hybrid catfish.

This study investigated the effects of the co-supplementation of vitamins C (0, 500, and 1000 mg kg⁻¹) and E (0, 62.5, and 125 mg kg⁻¹) on the growth performance, haematology and the modulation of blood stress indicators and immune parameters in hybrid catfish ( Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus) under combinations of thermal and acidic stress. Supplementation of vitamins C and E influenced the growth, haematological indices, serum chloride, plasma protein and immune parameters (lysozyme, total immunoglobulin and alternative complement haemolytic assay) ( P < 0.05). Although vitamins C and E did not prevent a significant reduction in serum chloride, they minimized not only the modulation of blood glucose and plasma protein, but also the reduction in immune parameters ( P < 0.05) owing to stress. Our results demonstrated that co-supplementation of 500 mg kg⁻¹ vitamin C and 125 mg kg⁻¹ vitamin E, or 1000 mg kg⁻¹ vitamin C alone, for four weeks and co-supplementation of both vitamins at low levels (vitamins C at 500 mg kg⁻¹ and E at 62.5 mg kg⁻¹) for eight weeks had beneficial effects on the growth, amelioration of stress-mediated adverse changes in the physiological and immunosuppressive responses of hybrid catfish under stressful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]