ganapathi naikKANTHA RAJA, P.,2023-12-272023-12-272021https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810204657This study was conducted to evaluate the use of a propionic acid salt, sodium propionate as a feed additive to enhance growth and health in rohu fish. A total of 120 healthy Labeo rohita fingerlings with an average body weight of 7.5 ± 0.5 g (mean SE) were randomly divided into four equal groups (F0, FI, F2, and F3). F0 was fed a basal diet with no organic acid additive taken as the control group, while FI, F2, and F3 were fed the diets supplemented with 10, 20 and 30 g/kg of sodium propionate salt, respectively. Each group was subdivided in triplicate with 10 fish in each tank. The experimental fish was evaluated after 90 days for growth performance, hematology. Immunology, resistance to infection, body composition, gut and liver histology. At the end of the feeding trail. F2 and F3 had significant improvements in final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and food conversion ratio (FCR) compared with other groups. The total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content, platelet count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and total leukocyte count were significantly increased in F2 and F3 compared to F0 and F1. There were significant differences among the groups in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration with F3 as highest. After 90 days. F2 and F3 showed highest superoxide anion activity, lysozyme activity, and total serum protein. The lowest values for immune parameters were recorded in F0. The protein and fat contents of the whole body were the highest in F3 followed by F2 groups. The best protection against challenged Aeromonas hydrophila was in F3 followed by F2 groups. The histological architecture and cellular components of gut showed an improvement in the treatments over the control. The study indicates the efficacy of addition of sodium propionate in enhancing the growth and health in rohu fish Labeo rohita.EnglishThesis