Effects of dietary tryptophan levels and fish stocking density on immunological and antioxidant responses and bactericidal activity against Aeromonas hydrophila in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was reared under low (LD) and high (HD) stocking densities for 70 days, during which they were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g tryptophan (Trp) per kg. At the end of the experiment, there were significant interaction effects of the stocking density and Trp levels on plasma Trp, globulin, lysozyme, catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and bactericidal activity and blood leucocyte count. However, there was no difference in plasma complement (ACH50), total immunoglobulin (Ig), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and blood differential leucocyte count. Trp at 5 g per kg diet significantly increased lysozyme and bactericidal activity, and decreased MDA under both the LD and HD conditions. Moreover, it significantly increased plasma CAT and blood leucocyte under the LD and HD conditions respectively. Trp at 10 g per kg diet significantly increased blood leucocyte and plasma bactericidal activity under the LD condition, but significantly decreased plasma globulin and bactericidal activity under the HD condition. In conclusion, the present results showed that the effects of Trp on immune and antioxidant systems depend on Trp levels and stressful conditions. As 5 g Trp per kg diet is beneficial for rainbow trout well‐being under both the LD and HD conditions, higher level of Trp (10 g/kg) is not beneficial and even causes some negative effects under the HD condition.