Immunostimulatory effect of Lactobacillus sporogenes on the nonspecific defense mechanisms of Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)

Abstract

The concept of using beneficial whole microorganisms is termed as “probiotics” and is gaining importance, as an eco-friendly disease management tool. In addition to disease resistance, they also improve water quality and growth of farmed fish. Lactobacillus sporogenes has been reported as one such beneficial bacteria in man and mammals. In order to explore the effect of this probiotic three groups of fish were treated with different number of vegetative cells in the log phase of growth for seven days. After this period of probiotic treatment fish were immunized with heat killed Aeromonas hydrophila. Then the fish were bled serially on 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and on the 12th day of immunization for various non-specific immuno assays like activated neutrophils, peripheral blood leukocyte count, and number of lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes. The results showed that L. sporogenes is an effective nonspecific immunostimulant in aquaculture.