Efficacy of levamisole as an immunostimulant in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man).

摘要

The immunomodulatory effect of levamisole in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) was determined by incorporating it at 0 mg (control), 125 and 250 mg levamisole/kg dry diet for 115 days. Growth was monitored at the end of0, 1, 2 and 3 months. Prophenoloxidase (proPO) activity, NBT reduction and phagocytic activity were examined at the end. The proPO activity and NBT reduction were significantly enhanced. Treated prawns showed lower phagocytic activity than the control. Treated prawns challenged with a virulent strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens showed delayed mortalities than the control. The present results suggest that levamisole can be introduced into the diet of M. rosenbergii, which could increase their resistance to infectious diseases and minimize mortality.