EFFECTS OF BAC-TRAT® PROBIOTIC COMPLEX ON GROWTH, HEMATOLOGICAL AND INTESTINAL PARAMETERS OF NILE TILAPIA, REARED AT LOW TEMPERATURES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the BAC-TRAT® probiotic complex applied on diet and in the rearing water of Nile tilapia, maintained at low temperatures. Three treatments were evaluated: control (absence of the probiotic: T0), probiotic applied to the water (T1) and a diet with probiotic (T2). Productive performance of Nile tilapia was not affected by the probiotic inclusion (p>0.05). The hematological parameters were influenced by treatments, with leukocytes and lymphocytes presenting lower concentrations in T2. Regarding to the whole-fish body composition, the inclusion of the probiotic in the water led to significant increases in the ether extract concentration, whilst the ash contents was higher in the treatments T1 and T2. Regarding histomorphometry parameters of the intestine, was observed that villi height and thickness of the muscle tunic were higher in T1 in comparison to T0. For the hepatic tissue, T2 determined the lowest values of perimeter, area and volume, and the qualitative evaluation revealed little and intermediate vacuolization in all treatments. It was concluded that despite contributing for the increase of intestinal villi area, the use of BAC-TRAT® probiotic complex at low temperatures does not have beneficial effects on Nile tilapia growth.