Effect of Wood Betony (Stachys Lavandulifolia Vahl) Extract on Some Serum Biochemical Changes and Acute Stress Response in Juvenile Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio)

The effects of four different levels of wood betony(wb) (stachys lavandulifolia vahl) extract (0,2, 4 and 8% w/w in the diet) were investigated onsome serum enzymatic activities and acute stress responseof juvenile common carp (cyprinus carpio).after 10 weeks post feeding, two groups of fish (0and 8% wb) were subjected to handling and crowdingstress and the stress responses including serumcortisol, glucose and some electrolytes (na+, k+and ca+2) levels were assayed. the results revealedthat the fish fed on 8% wb had significantly lowerlevels of lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) and alaninetransaminase (alt) compared to the control group(p<0.05). although cortisol and glucose levels wereincreased significantly shortly after stress (p<0.05),the elevation level was significantly lower for fishfed on 8% wb (p < 0.05). in control group, sodiumlevel decreased (p < 0.05) at 3 h post stress but didnot show any change in 8% wb (p > 0.05). thepotassium and calcium levels showed insignificantfluctuations post stress (p>0.05). dietary inclusionof wb seems to improve liver function and responseto acute stress in juvenile common carp