Effects of Lactobacillus sporogenes Supplementation on Growth Performance, Survival, Immune Parameters, and Disease Resistance in Labeo rohita Challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus sporogenes on the growth performance, immune responses, and susceptibility to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Labeo rohita. The diet was prepared with four levels of L. sporogenes supplementation, viz.104 cfu g-1 (F1), 106 cfu g-1 (F2), 108 cfu g-1 (F3) and a control diet without supplementation (F0), fed in triplicates for 90 days. Results indicated significant (p<0.05) increase in weight performance and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 108 cfu g-1 (F3) compared to control group (F0). Probiotic supplementation (F2, F3) led to a noticeable and statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in the non-specific immunological reponses including superoxide anion production (SAP), total serum protein, and lysozyme function, compared to the group without supplementation (F0). Furthermore, the probiotic supplemented group exhibited a substantial significant (p<0.05) decline in the in the cumulative percent mortality (F1: 23.33±0.5; F2: 26.67±1.15 and F3: 30±1.35) compared to the group without probiotic supplementation (F0: CPM-73.33%) when challenged with A. hydrophila. Therefore, overall present study recommended that higher level inclusion of L. sporogenes can significantly enhance the growth performance, immune function, and ability to resist diseases in L. rohita when challenged with A. hydrophila infection.