LAUSR

In the study, the immunostimulant effects of rosehip (Rosa canina) on the health indicator hematological and nonspecific immune parameters of Mycobacterium salmoniphilum-infected sturgeon were investigated. The rosehip was applied in the ratios of R5 (5%), R10 (10%), and R15 (15%) in three repetitions. After a 35-day feeding period, the fish were infected with M. salmoniphilum and analyzed after day 7, when symptoms were observed at elevated levels. Erythrocyte, erythrocyte indices, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte levels and the non-specific immune parameters including lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil, cytokines, phagocytic activity levels were comparatively examined using positive and negative control groups. The evaluations revealed that the RBC, Hb, Hct and WBC counts in the R15 group were significantly higher than those of the C+ group. Moreover, depending on the level of the immune response of the fish, among the immune parameters, significant increases in the lymphocyte, monocyte, cytokine, and phagocytic activity levels were observed in the R15 group. The results showed that the hematological and immune response to M. salmoniphilum infection was stimulated significantly in the 15% rosehip-fed fish. Hence, the effective dose of rosehip in fish was determined to be 15% and rosehip is suggested as an alternative to currently recommended immunostimulants.