Effect of functional feed additives on fish health

Abstract

In aquaculture, one of the most promising methods of disease and stress control is considered to be strengthening the defense mechanism through prophylactic administration of immunostimulants, which are seen as a reassuring alternative to chemotherapy and vaccines. All these preventive measures are aimed at strengthening the innate and/or adaptive immune system. New immunostimulants, prebiotics, and probiotics are increasingly being discussed in scientific journals.

As a multifunctional complex structure, the gut has a key immunological role in homeostasis and the maintenance of fish health, in addition to food digestion and nutrient absorption.

The review article presents new studies on the effect of prebiotics and/or probiotics as functional feed additives on immune and physiological responses in the fish intestine and its microbiota.