Supplementation of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) diet with barberry (Berberis vulgaris) fruit extract: Growth performance, hemato-biochemical parameters, digestive enzyme activity, and growth-related gene expression

In this study, barberry fruit extract (BFE) was used as an herbal feed additive at 0 (control), 150, 300, 600, and 750 mg/kg to evaluate growth performance, physiometabolic responses, and gene expression related to growth and appetite in Siberian sturgeon. The fish (N = 150; 29.7 ± 2.2 g) were fed with the experimental diets for 56 days. Upon the completion of the feeding trial, the fish fed with BFE at 750 mg/kg showed higher growth indices than the control fish and the lowest feed conversion ratio (P