We examined the effects of the flavonoid hesperidin on nonspecific immunity gene expression,
antioxidant capacity, and growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei. Four isonitrogen-
containing (~ 38%) diets were formulated and supplemented with hesperidin at
0 (control; T1),
100 (
T2), 200 (
T3), and 300 (
T4) mg kg−
1. Shrimps (2.45 ± 0.17 g) were
placed in 12 circular fiberglass tanks filled with 150 L of seawater, and each feed treatment
was done in triplicate. Shrimps were hand-fed three times daily for 8 weeks to apparent
satiation. According to the results, the growth rate of shrimps T3 was significantly higher
(∼2.83 g) than that of the control. The feed conversion ratio in shrimps fed hesperidinenriched
feeds was better compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Shrimps T3
and T1
showed the highest and lowest plasma glucose, total protein, and triglyceride and the lowest
and highest plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
respectively (P < 0.05), while the other groups had intermediate values. Shrimps T3
and T1
had the highest and lowest plasma phenoloxidase activity, respectively. Catalase activity,
glutathione peroxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity in hepatopancreas were
increased by dietary hesperidin supplementation, while malondialdehyde level was significantly
decreased by increasing dietary hesperidin level (P < 0.05). The relative abundance
of the mRNA transcript of the genes prophenoloxidase, lysozyme, penaeidin-3α, and heat
shock protein 70 in the hepatopancreas of T3
was significantly higher than in the other
groups. Based on the above findings, consumption of aquafeeds containing 200 mg hesperidin
kg−
1 can enhance growth performance in L. vannamei juvenile by promoting antioxidant
capacity and immune responses.