Persian bee propolis and pollen extracts enhanced the non-specific immune response of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila

Abstract

The effect of Persian bee propolis and pollen extracts on innate immune response of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Fish were fed diets containing 1% Pollen, 1% propolis and combination of the two immune-stimulants (0.5% Pollen and 0.5% propolis) as treatment groups and fed without the two immune-stimulants as positive and negative control groups for 4 weeks. The effects of different stimulants at different weeks (Time × stimulants) were analyzed with the Repeated Measures ANOVA. The first-four groups were then subjected to Aeromonas hydrophila for 5 days. The phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, Plasma Total Protein and cumulative mortality were monitored. The results showed that fish fed diet containing 1% propolos or 0.5% Pollen+ 0.5% propolis enhanced non-specific immunity including respiratory burst activity, phagocytosis but decreases the mortality in challenging with A. hydrophila by 45 and 65%, respectively.