Growth performance: The growth performance,
including weight gain (%), specific growth rate (SGR)
and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the tilapia are
shown in Table 2. While there were no significant
differences in growth among the AC-supplemented
groups, all these groups showed significantly better
growth than the control fish.
Histopathology: The histopathological study revealed
mild fatty change in the liver of AC fish. However, the
degree of fatty change was not related to the dose. No
significant change was observed in the other organs.
Measurement of villus height: The intestinal villi
characterized by mucosal folds that appeared swollen
and bulging towards the lumen and contained numerous
mucous cells were measured. The data on villus height
measured from the foregut, midgut, and hindgut of the
fish are shown in Table 3. The villus height from all three
parts of the intestine in the 3% AC-supplemented group
was the longest when compared with the other groups.
In the foregut and midgut, the villus height of the control
group was significantly lower than the ACsupplemented groups. No significant difference in villus
height was observed in all parts of the intestine among
116 Pirarat N. / Thai J Vet Med. 2015. 45(1): 113-119.
the AC-supplemented groups. At the hindgut of the
intestine, there was no statistic difference in villus height
among the experimental groups.