Dietary Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Extract Ameliorated the Growth Performance, Humoral Immune Parameters and Resistance Against Aeromonas hydrophilain Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

This trial investigated the efficacy of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract (AE) on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant parameters, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophilaof goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this purpose, a total number of 470 goldfish with initial weight 5.70±0.2 g were fed with four experimental diets including 0 (T0), 100 (T1), 150 (T2), and 200 (T3) mg kg−1diet AE for 8 weeks. At the end of feeding trial, growth performances, serum immune parameters, and mucus antioxidant enzymes were measured. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila, and the antioxidant and immunity-related gene expression were investigated. Based on the results, the highest final weight (FW) and weight gain (WG) were attained in T2 and T3 (P<0.05). Immune factors including ACH50, lysozyme, and total immunoglobulin in T2 and T3 showed the highest values (P<0.05). The expression of GR, IL1β, TNFα, HSC70, HSP70, and HSP90βgenes in T1, T2, and T3 were higher than the control (P<0.05). The GSTexpression was significantly enhanced in T2 (P<0.05). The present study demonstrated that the administration of AE, especially at doses of 150 mg kg−1, could improve the growth, immunity, and antioxidant parameters, as well as enhance disease resistance against A. hydrophilain goldfish.