Tea Tree Oil Boosts Growth and Immunity in Nile Tilapia
Author Information
Author(s): Shaalan Mohamed, Mahboub Heba H., Abdelgawad Ahmed Hosny, Abdelwarith Abdelwahab A., Younis Elsayed M., Elnegiry Ahmed A., Basher Asmaa W., El-Houseiny Walaa, Shawky Sherif M., Orabi Sahar H., Davies Simon J., Mahmoud Yasmina K.
Primary Institution: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Hypothesis
Does dietary supplementation with tea tree oil improve growth performance and immune response in Nile tilapia?
Conclusion
Long-term dietary supplementation with tea tree oil significantly enhances growth, immune function, and resistance to bacterial infection in Nile tilapia.
Supporting Evidence
- Fish fed with 2.0 mL/kg tea tree oil showed the highest growth metrics.
- Immune markers like lysozyme and immunoglobulin M were significantly elevated in treated groups.
- Survival rates post-Aeromonas sobria challenge were highest in the 2.0 mL/kg group.
Takeaway
Adding tea tree oil to fish food helps them grow better and fight off sickness.
Methodology
The study involved 300 Nile tilapia divided into four groups receiving different doses of tea tree oil for 60 days, followed by a challenge with Aeromonas sobria.
Participant Demographics
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Abbassa fish hatchery, Egypt.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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