Synergetic Effects of Green Algae and Diatoms on Reproductive Hormones and Health Status of Whiteleg Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei Broodstock in Commercial Hatcheries

Fath El-Bab, Ahmed; Abo-Omar, Mohamed; Khattaby, Abd El-Rahman; El-Ragh, Ali

doi:10.21608/djas.2025.418570

Synergetic Effects of Green Algae and Diatoms on Reproductive Hormones and Health Status of Whiteleg Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei Broodstock in Commercial Hatcheries

Document Type : Original research papers

Authors

¹ Animal, Poultry and Fish Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Egypt

² Fish production and Aquaculture Systems Research Department, Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research, Agriculture Research Centre, Egypt.

10.21608/djas.2025.418570

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of dietary addition of green algae and diatoms on reproductive hormones, redox status, and immunity response, with special emphasis to the influence of these phytobiotics on the expression of interlukine-1β (IL-1β) in Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The experiment was conducted during the 2022 season, during which the broodstock were fed equal proportions of different components: Spirulina platensis (SP) at 5%, T. weissflogii (TH) at 5% and a mixture of SP and TH in a 2.5:2.5 ratio as well as the control group (basal diet). The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone were significantly higher in the groups fed TH alone or together with SP compared to the control group (p<0.05). The higher concentration of estrogen hormone was observed in TH treated group compared to the control and the other treated groups (p<0.05). With regard to male reproductive hormone, non- significant changes were detected between the control and all examined groups for FSH (p=0.1504) and LH (p=0.4550). Meanwhile the concentration of testosterone improved significantly in the TH group compared to the control or other treated groups (p<0.05). Improved photomicrograph of ovarian lobules, ejaculatory and seminiferous duct through co-treatment with SP and TH supported these findings. The levels of malondialdehyde were notably shrunken in the group that received TH alone or in combination with SP compared to the control group. Conversely, the transcription of interlukine-1 β, catalase activity, and the concentrations of immunoglobulin G and M significantly induced in aforementioned two treated groups compared to the control and SP treated group (p<0.05). The values of glutathione, total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly higher in TH treated group compared to the control (p<0.05). In conclusion, incorporating a blend of SP and TH in a 2.5:2.5 ratio into the diet of Whiteleg Shrimp could serve as an effective strategy to improve the reproductive hormones, immunity status, and redox equilibrium during spawning season .

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