The effects of dietary black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed meal on immune response of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).

The black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed (BCS) is known as an immunostimulant herb owing to its enhancing effects on nonspecific immune systems. However, the effectiveness of dietary BCS on shrimp immune systems has not been well known. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effects of the experimental diets containing 0 (control), 5 (BCS5), 15 (BCS15), 30 (BCS30), and 50 (BCS50) g kg−1 (BCS) on immune response of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). The results showed significant decrease in plasma glucose, globulin, ALP activity and hyaline cells and increase of semigranular cells in shrimp fed up to 30 g kg−1 BCS compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant upregulation of α2-macroglobulin (α2-M), integrin β, and peroxinectin (PX) transcripts was observed during the course of the experiment in all treatments (p < 0.05). The transcripts of PX and integrin β showed a significant decrease in BCS fed shrimp after exposure to V. harveyi (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of BCS in the diet of shrimp for 90 days and after exposure to V. harveyi could significantly affect some immunological indices and the expression of some immunity related biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]