E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 

Research Article 


Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Mohamed Omar Abdalla Salem, Masoud A. S. Lakwani.


Abstract
Background:
The exploration of natural dietary supplements to enhance immune function and disease resistance in aquaculture is of significant interest.

Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the capacity of dietary Vitex agnus-castus L. (Chaste Tree; CT) extract to modulate immune function in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Methods:
Fish were divided into four cohorts and maintained on isocaloric diets containing 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, or 2% (w/w) CT extract for 60 days. Key innate immune markers, including blood respiratory burst activity and serum lysozyme activity, were quantified at weeks 4 and 8.

Results:
Supplementation with CT significantly increased (p < 0.05) respiratory burst activity in groups receiving 1% and 2% CT relative to controls. After 8 weeks of feeding, serum lysozyme activity was markedly elevated in fish fed 0.5% and 1% CT.

Conclusion:
These findings indicate that V. agnus-castus extract effectively potentiates crucial innate immune responses in rainbow trout, supporting its prospective application as a functional dietary supplement to enhance health status and disease resistance in aquaculture.

Key words: Vitex agnus-castus L.; Immunostimulant; Respiratory burst; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Aquaculture.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Salem MOA, Lakwani MAS. Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65


Web Style

Salem MOA, Lakwani MAS. Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=274084 [Access: December 31, 2025]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Salem MOA, Lakwani MAS. Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Salem MOA, Lakwani MAS. Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65



Harvard Style

Salem, M. O. A. & Lakwani, . M. A. S. (2025) Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65



Turabian Style

Salem, Mohamed Omar Abdalla, and Masoud A. S. Lakwani. 2025. Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65



Chicago Style

Salem, Mohamed Omar Abdalla, and Masoud A. S. Lakwani. "Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)." doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Salem, Mohamed Omar Abdalla, and Masoud A. S. Lakwani. "Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)." doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Salem, M. O. A. & Lakwani, . M. A. S. (2025) Immunomodulatory effects of dietary chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) extract in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i12.65