Effect of dietary Garlic extract on growth, feeding parameters, hematological indices and body composition of Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study, Effects of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on growth indices and hemolymph parameters of Litopenaeus vannamei with mean weight 18.21±0.29 g were studied for a period of 56 days. This study was conducted inside 300-liter polyethylene containers as four treatments each with four replicates and each replicate testing 5 shrimps. A basic diet supplemented by 0 (control), 40, 80 and 100 ppm of garlic extract was provided for shrimps. Shrimp biometry was performed at the end of experiment and hemolymph was collected by 2ml syringe. The results showed that garlic extract positively affected daily feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, molting rate (P<0.05), but no significant change in weight gain rate, specific growth rate, condition factor and hepatosomatic index (P>0.05). Also, treated showed significant changes in body protein (increased levels), fat and ash composition (decreased levels) compared with control group (P<0.05). Total hemocytes count was not affected but differential hemocytes count and total plasma protein was significantly changed treated shrimps compared with control shrimps (P<0.05). Based on the results obtained from this study, garlic extract may be applied as a food supplementation in shrimp aquaculture.