Abstract
Common carp, Cyprinus carpio with a live weight of 13.42 ± 0.58g were fed diets enriched with 0, 1, 2 and 3% of soybean lecithin for 56 days. After the experimental feeding trials, treatment groups were assessed by survival rate, growth parameters, hematological, biochemical, serum lipids and immunological parameters. Carp fed the 3% lecithin enriched diet achieved the highest weight gain of 128.76%, whereas the group fed the 0% lecithin enriched diet (control) had significantly lower weight gain of only 72.86% differed. The specific growth rates (SGR) of experimental groups were also significantly increased from the control group, as were the hematological paragroups, including the total red blood cells (RBC) count, hematocrit (Hct), and hemoglobin (Hb) level. Glucose, protein and globulin levels were elevated in soybean lecithin enriched fed fish groups whereas, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin levels were non significantly differing among the treated groups. A positive correlation revealed that the serum lipid parameters like cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were gradually decreased in fish when fed increasing soybean lecithin in the experimental diets. Immunological parameters like lysozyme, respiratory burst activity and IgM were significantly increased from the control group to experimental groups of carp. An IgM level was observed of 106.4mg/mL in the serum of control diet fed fishes and increased gradually, attaining a significant level in the experimental group at a maximum level of 139.4mg/mL in 3% soybean lecithin enriched diet fed fishes. These findings indicate that dietary soybean lecithin at 3% enhances growth, physiological status, and immune function in common carp.