Efficacy and effects of clove oil and MS-222 on the immune-biochemical responses of juvenile rohu Labeo rohita

The present study determined the effective concentrations of clove oil and MS-222 in juvenile rohu Labeo rohita for quick induction and recovery. The immune-biochemical responses due to 0, 1 and 24 hr exposure to those anaesthetics were also evaluated. Of four concentrations of the anaesthetics examined, the lowest effective concentration of clove oil and MS-222 were 50 mu l/L and 125 mg/L respectively. Clove oil and MS-222 significantly increased the myeloperoxidase, total protein and alkaline phosphatase activity at some of the holding durations. However, superoxide anion production (after 0 and 1 hr) and antiprotease activity (after 24 hr) were significantly reduced in fish exposed to clove oil. Serum glucose content was significantly elevated in the MS-222-treated group. Furthermore, the clove oil-treated group showed significantly higher levels of serum Na+ and K+, while the aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities were significantly enhanced in the MS-222 group. The use of both clove oil and MS-222 is advised as an anaesthetic agent for rohu with a bias towards clove oil, considering its economic and operational feasibility.