Modulation of mucosal parameters, innate immunity, growth and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae by enrichment of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet with Leucas aspera

Abstract The present study aimed at evaluating the possible effects of Leucas aspera as immunostimulant on mucosal and serum immunity, as well as on growth and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. In a 45 days trial, fish were fed experimental diets containing L. aspera 0 g kg−1 (Diet 1- control), 1 g kg−1 (Diet 2), 2 g kg−1(Diet 3), 4 g kg−1 (Diet 4) and 8 g kg−1 (Diet 5). The results revealed a significant increase in the specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and final weight (FW) in fish fed diet 3 (2 g kg−1) of L. aspera compared to the control and other supplemented groups (P