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Probiotic Applications in Temperate and Warm Water Fish Species

2014; Wiley; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/9781118897263.ch10

1365-2095

Oliana Carnevali, Yun‐Zhang Sun, Daniel L. Merrifield, Zhigang Zhou, Simona Picchietti,

Aquatic life and conservation

Environmentally friendly aquaculture practices have seen the introduction of beneficial bacteria, such as probiotics, in the last decade. Probiotics are generally defined as live microbial feed supplements that can benefit the host by modulating the gut microbiota. The endogenous gut microbiotas of fish are integral in mediating the development, maintenance and effective functionality of the intestinal mucosa and gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). These microbial populations also provide a level of protection against pathogenic visitors to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and aid host digestive function via the production of exogenous digestive enzymes and vitamins. Applications of probiotics to temperate and warm water teleosts can stimulate immune responses and enhance growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant enzyme activities, disease resistance, larval survival and gut morphology, as well as modulate gene expression and the gut microbiota. They have the potential to elevate the innate defence mechanisms of fish and improve survival following exposure to a number of pathogens. In addition, recent studies have shown the probiotic potential to improve welfare and reproductive success. The studies available on probiotic applications for important temperate and warm water teleosts are discussed in the present review.