STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS E AND K ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF LABEO ROHITA

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to find the effects of fat-soluble vitamins E and K on growth performance and antioxidant activity of Labeo rohita (Rohu). There were five treatments, T1 (control treatment) containing 0 mg/kg of vitamin E and K, T2, T3, T4, and T5 (Experimental treatment) containing 200 mg/kg of vitamin E, 500 mg/kg of vitamin E, 200 mg/kg vitamin K and 500 mg/kg vitamin K respectively in diets. Acclimatized Labeo rohita juveniles were transferred to the fisheries research farm of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and fed twice a day for an experimental duration of six months. Physio-chemical parameters like temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, total hardness, electrical conductivity, etc. were maintained at their optimum level. Juveniles of Labeo rohita attained maximum growth during the thorough experimental period except in December due to abrupt environmental changes. Experimental treatment T3 (Vitamin E=500 mg/kg) showed maximum weight, fork, and total length that is 11.26g, 2.53cm, and 2.96 cm respectively. At higher concentrations of vitamin E in diet feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were also increased. Catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activity increased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was slowed by high vitamin E concentrations supplemented diets in Labeo rohita. In T3 highest catalase activity (134.03U/ml) and peroxidase activity (0.34U/ml) were observed while the highest (SOD) activity (18.01U/ml) was observed in T1. A significant fluctuation (p≤0.01) in the growth and antioxidant activity of Labeo rohita was determined by statistical analysis during the whole experimental period.