Effect of oral administration of high vitamin C and E dosages on the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) innate immune system

The effect of the oral administration of high dosages of vitamins C and E o n the innate immune system of the seabream was investigated. Gilthead seabr eam (Sparus aurata L.) were fed four different diets for 45 days: a commerc ial diet as control, a 3 g/kg vitamin C-supplemented diet, a 1.2 g/kg vitam in E-supplemented diet or a diet containing both vitamin supplements. After 15, 30 and 45 days, serum ascorbic acid and alpha -tocopherol levels, grow th, complement titers and head-kidney leucocyte phagocytic and respiratory burst activities were evaluated. The results showed that serum vitamin leve ls reflected dietary input. Fish fed the vitamin C-supplemented diet showed an enhanced respiratory burst activity, while fish fed the vitamin E-suppl emented diet exhibited increased complement and phagocytic activities. All of these positive effects were found in fish fed the joint diet, as well as a synergistically enhanced respiratory burst activity at day 30. The resul ts demonstrate that in vivo vitamins C and E exert a synergistic effect enh ancing the respiratory burst activity of seabream phagocytes. (C) 2001 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.