Effects of intraperitoneal injection of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) extract in Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) broodstocks in exposure to ammonia stress

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of safflower extract on some serological parameters and the resistance to ammonia stress in the Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus). For this purpose, 150 fish with an average weight of 61.73±0.32 g were allocated into 15 aquaria. The fish were divided into one control group and four treatment groups, with three replications for each group. Fish of the treatment groups were intraperitoneally injected with different levels of safflower extract, including 50 mg/kg (treatment 1), 100 mg/kg (treatment 2), 200 mg/kg (treatment 3), and 300 mg/kg (treatment 4), respectively. The fish in the control group just received normal saline via IP injection. After 2 weeks, blood samples were taken to evaluate some haematological and biochemical parameters. According to the results, serum glucose levels were significantly lower in all treatment groups compared to control 2 weeks post-injection. Total protein levels were measured higher in treatments 1 and 2 compared to control, but treatments 3 and 4 were recorded lower than control one. The levels of ALP and AST enzymes also decreased in fish that received safflower extract. The results of ammonia stress showed that injection of different levels of safflower extract led to an increase in the survival rate of Caspian roach in exposure to ammonia stress.