Influence of Aloe barbadensis (Miller 1768) Extract on White Blood Cells Counts as Immunological Parameters of Adult Heterobranchus Bidorsalis (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1809) Ada Fidelis Bekeh1,*, Ekpenyong Edet2, Bayim PeteRobins Bayim3 1Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Obubra Campus, Cross River State, Nigeria 2Department Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria 3Department of Chemistry, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar Campus, Cross River State, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: F B Ada; Email: fbekehada@yahoo.com
Online published on 24 March, 2014. Abstract Aloe barbadensis extract was incorporated in the feeds of adult Heterobranchus bidorsalis at concentrations of 0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0, 100.0, and 125.0 mg/Kg of feeds in triplicates. Fresh gel was mixed with feeds and sundried. The fish were fed at 6% body weight divided into two rations per day. The fish were fed for 14 days before being analysed for hematological parameters such as total white blood cell count, lymphocyte, neutrophils counts, eosinophils counts, basophils counts as well as monocyte counts. The monocytes and eosinophils were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the treated fish while basophils were not encountered at all. The neutrophils and lymphocytes being the immune responsive leucocytes were increased in circulation due to Aloe barbadensis exposure. Aloe barbadensis extract is therefore recommended as fish supplements at concentration of 50.0 to 75.0 mg/Kg of feeds for adult Heterobranchus Top Keywords Aloe barbadensis extract, leukocytes, immune status, adult Heterobranchus bidorsilis. Top |