The effects of vitamins C and E on the growth, tissue accumulation and prophylactic response to thermal and acidic stress of hybrid catfish

This study investigated the effects of the co-supplementation of vitamins C (0, 500, and 1000mgkg1) and E (0, 62.5, and 125mgkg1) on the growth performance, haematology and the modulation of blood stress indicators and immune parameters in hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalusxClarias gariepinus) under combinations of thermal and acidic stress. Supplementation of vitamins C and E influenced the growth, haematological indices, serum chloride, plasma protein and immune parameters (lysozyme, total immunoglobulin and alternative complement haemolytic assay) (P<0.05). Although vitamins C and E did not prevent a significant reduction in serum chloride, they minimized not only the modulation of blood glucose and plasma protein, but also the reduction in immune parameters (P<0.05) owing to stress. Our results demonstrated that co-supplementation of 500mgkg1 vitamin C and 125mgkg1 vitamin E, or 1000mgkg1 vitamin C alone, for four weeks and co-supplementation of both vitamins at low levels (vitamins C at 500mgkg1 and E at 62.5 mg kg1) for eight weeks had beneficial effects on the growth, amelioration of stress-mediated adverse changes in the physiological and immunosuppressive responses of hybrid catfish under stressful conditions.