مشخصات پژوهش

The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) on growth performance, liver histopathology and some blood parameters of the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juvenile. A total of 144 fish (182.09 ± 9.05 g) were fed diets containing graded levels of Fe-NPs (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg–1 diet) for 8 weeks. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, body weight increases, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, monocytes, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lysozyme activity between treatments (P > 0.05). The group fed 50 mg kg–1 Fe-NPs showed a significant difference in the contents of red and white blood cells, neutrophils, and total protein, in respiratory burst activity, and total immunoglobulin level (P < 0.05); the diet caused the least negative effect on the fish liver. After 8 weeks, survival rates of 76.67, 90.00, and 93.33% were recorded in groups that received 25, 50, and 100 mg kg–1 Fe-NPs of feed, respectively, compared to 66.67% survivals in the control. These results indicated that Fe-NPs at a level of 50 mg kg–1 improved the welfare and survival of stellate sturgeon juveniles and had no negative effect on the fish liver.