Metal‐amino acid complexes (Zn, Se, Cu, Fe, and Mn) enhance immune response, antioxidant capacity, liver function enzymes and expression of cytokines genes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared under field conditions

Abstract Objectives In the present study, we investigated the effects of partial or total replacement of dietary inorganic trace materials (ITM) with metal–amino acid complexes (MAACs) on immune response, antioxidant capacity, cytokine genes expression, and overall health status of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared in in‐pond hapas (mesh cages) under field conditions. Methods All‐male Nile Tilapia with an average initial weight of about 90 g fish −1 were stocked into the hapas, in quadruplicates, at a density of 60 fish per hapa (30 fish m −3 ). The fish in each hapa were acclimatized to culture conditions and test diets for 1 week. Water quality parameters, including temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (mg L −1 ), and total ammonia (mg L −1 ), were monitored regularly. The MAACs were formulated to contain the same mineral concentrations found in the inorganic premix. Metal–amino acid complexes replaced the ITM premix at 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100% levels (Table 1). The diets were fed to caged Nile Tilapia twice a day, for 80 days, at a daily rate of 3% of their body weights. The fish were weighed every 10 days, and the daily rations were readjusted. At harvest, fish in each hapa were collected, counted, and weighed collectively. Five fish from each hapa were rapidly anesthetized, and used for chemical and physiological analyses, including antioxidant and immune response analyses, liver function analysis, and gene expression. Result The activities of lysozyme, respiratory burst (%), alternative complement (ACH50), phagocytic cells, phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and liver function enzymes were all improved with increasing supplemental MAACs up to the 50% substitution level. The expression of cytokine genes, including interferon, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin‐1, serum alkaline phosphatase, the integrated microbial genomes, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, and transforming growth factor genes, was significantly upregulated in fish fed on MAAC‐supplemented diets compared with the control group. The 50% MAAC level produced the highest upregulation of these genes, whereas gene expression decreased with increasing dietary MAAC levels to 75% and 100%. The quadratic regression analysis indicated that about 60–65% MAAC is required for maximum promotion of immunological and oxidative stress responses, gene expression, and overall health status of Nile Tilapia reared in in‐pond hapas under field conditions. Conclusion Replacement of the ITM premix with a MAAC premix enhanced the immune and antioxidant responses of Nile Tilapia.