Effects of Dietary Scenedesmus acuminatus Powder Supplementation on Hematological Parameters and Immune Responses of Juvenile Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

Shabani, Afshin; Vahabzadeh Roudsari, Habib; Khara, Hosein; Ahmadnejad, Mohadesseh; Safari, Roghieh

doi:10.22124/japb.2026.33961.1593

Effects of Dietary Scenedesmus acuminatus Powder Supplementation on Hematological Parameters and Immune Responses of Juvenile Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Ph.D. Student, Department of Fisheries, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan,, Iran

² Assistant proffessor, Department of Fisheries, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

³ Full proffessor, Department of Fisheries, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

⁴ Assistant professor, Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Anzali, Iran

⁵ Associated professor, Department of Aquaculture and Breeding, Faculty of Fisheries and Environment, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

10.22124/japb.2026.33961.1593

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with the microalga Scenedesmus acuminatus on hematological parameters and immune responses of juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). A total of 300 fish with an average initial weight of 10.07 ± 0.39 g were randomly distributed into five experimental groups, including a basal diet (control), a diet supplemented with 5% Chlorella powder (positive control), and diets containing 1%, 3%, and 5% S. acuminatus powder. Fish were fed the experimental diets for 60 days. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 3% S. acuminatus significantly increased white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), and hematocrit (HCT) values compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and yielded higher values than the positive control. No significant differences were observed among treatments in hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), or lymphocyte percentage (P > 0.05). In addition, dietary inclusion of 1–3% S. acuminatus significantly enhanced immune-related parameters, including immunoglobulin M (IgM), lysozyme activity, and alternative complement hemolytic activity (ACH50) (P < 0.05).

Overall, the findings indicate that dietary supplementation with 1–3% S. acuminatus powder can serve as an effective functional feed additive for improving hematological status and immune competence in juvenile Siberian sturgeon.

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