Research Article: Effects of aqueous and acetone extracts of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) leaves on responses of immune system in farmed western white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected to Vibrio harveyi

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous and acetone extracts of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) leaves on the responses of the immune system in the farmed western white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected to Vibrio harveyi. Shrimps were randomly divided into ۱۰ groups: ۳ groups treated with the aqueous extracts at concentrations of ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, and ۳۰۰ mg/kg respectively, ۳ groups treated with Estonian extracts at concentrations of ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg respectively, ۲ groups selected as negative control groups and ۲ groups as positive controls. Experimental groups were randomly tested in triplicates over a ۴۰-day period. The parameters of immune responses of shrimp samples were measured at three-time points of baseline (day ۰), midterm (day ۲۰), and end line (day ۴۰). The results of this study showed that the administration of acetone extract of Persian walnut leaves at a concentration of ۲۰۰ mg/kg caused a significant change in total hemocyte count, differential hemocyte count, and total plasma protein levels in the western white shrimp (p≤۰.۰۵). The results indicated that the walnut leaf extract can be used as a supplement to shrimp farming because of its cost-effectiveness and availability, and can significantly increase the productivity of shrimp farms.

Keywords:

Western white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) , Persian walnut leaves (Juglans regia) , Vibrio harveyi