Effects of Betaine and Β-Glucan Co-Supplementation on Serum Biochemistry of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Fingerlings

Feed suitability is one of the factors that strongly influence the serum biochemistry of fish. The effects of betaine and β-glucan co-supplementation on serum biochemistry of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings were evaluated. Betaine and β – glucan were co – supplemented at different dose into formulated feed with 40% crude protein at; 0.0g/100g (BBG0 i.e. control), 0.325g/100g (BBG1), 0.75g/100g (BBG2), 1.125g/100g (BBG3) and 1.50g/100g (BBG4)in triplicate, fed to C. gariepinus fingerlings(n = 300, 10.0±0.00g) in fifteen (15) plastic tanks (n = 20) at a fixed feeding rate of 3% body weight twice daily for twelve (12) weeks. Blood samples were collected for serum biochemical analysis. The water quality parameters were within the recommended ranged for C. gariepinus. Serum values of Total protein (4.20±0.4– 4.75±0.3 g/dL), albumin (2.60±0.1– 2.75±0.1 g/dL), globulin(1.60±0.07–2.00±0.02g/dL), albumin/globulin (A: G) ratio(1.38±0.3 – 1.63±0.4), aspartate aminotransferase i.e. AST(32.00±1.9– 32.90±3.7 U/L),alanine aminotransferase i.e. ALT (53.70±2.1– 55.00±3.5 U/L), glucose (304.00±22–320.00±11 mmol/L), potassium (2.98±0.2– 3.74±0.3 mmol/L), sodium (136.30±11.5–140.10±11.4 mmol/L) and chlorine (107.30±10.2 – 110.70±6.7 mmol/L) respectively were recorded. These changes observed in the serum biochemistry of C. gariepinus fingerlings indicated that betaine and β–glucan co–supplementation at different doses employed in this research did not result in statistically significant (p > 0.05) changes, but had a positive effect on physiology by increasing the total serum protein and lowering the serum carbohydrate values as compared to the control feed.