The effects of diet supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus on tissue parameters of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

This study was carried out to establish the effects of a 6 week treatment with the diet supplemented with L.rhamnosus in concentrations of 10(7)CFUg(-1) (G1 group) and 10(8)CFUg(-1) (G2 group) on the condition expressed by condition factors (Fulton's, Clark's and B), intestinal microbiology, haematological, histological and selected antioxidative parameters of rainbow trout. A significantly higher condition factors were found in G1 group indicating that higher concentration of probiotic (10(8)CFUg(-1)) did not result in the better condition. Cholesterol and urea levels were significantly higher in both G1 and G2 groups, albumin in G1 and creatinine in G2 group with respect to control. A significantly higher liver TBARS level was observed in G2 group. The feeding with supplemented probiont apparently changed the resident microbiota. Three weeks after withdrawal of the supplemented feed, the microflora mostly reverted to the control composition, although L.rhamnosus in faecal matter of fish remained inherent. The epithelial structure of the proximal and distal intestine revealed the increased absorptive area in both treated groups, as well as the increase in the mucin-secreting goblet cells. The L.rhamnosus-treated groups demonstrated the capacity for the augmentation of the innate host defence.