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2025, Vol: 15, Issue: 9
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Research Article


Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio

Hayder A.h. Al-hasson, Khalidah S. Al-niaeem, Monia Elbour.


Abstract
Background:
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are a nutritionally valuable species with high demand in local and regional markets.

Aim:
This study evaluated the effects of dietary pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on the health status and immune response of farmed C. carpio challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Methods:
Pumpkin seeds were selected for their rich content of essential nutrients and potential immunostimulatory properties. Seventy-two healthy fish (average weight 85.16 ± 0.10 g) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups receiving 0%, 1%, 2%, or 3% pumpkin seed powder for 12 weeks. Fish were fed to near satiation twice daily. After 56 days, a 3-hour crowding stress test (40 kg/m³) followed by 24 hours of recovery was performed. Key parameters assessed included growth performance, feed efficiency, hematological and biochemical markers, serum lysozyme activity, body composition, and immune-antioxidant response. Following this, 12 fish per group were intraperitoneally injected with V. parahaemolyticus, and mortality was recorded.

Results:
Fish fed pumpkin seed-supplemented diets, particularly at the 2% level, showed significant improvements in growth, immune markers, feed utilization, and survival rate post-challenge compared to the control group.

Conclusion:
These findings suggest that pumpkin seed supplementation enhances immune function and disease resistance in C. carpio, supporting its use as a functional ingredient in aquafeed formulations.

Key words: Medicinal herbs; Pumpkin seed; Cucurbita pepo; Cyprinus carpio; Vibrio parahaemolyticus.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Al-hasson HA, Al-niaeem KS, Elbour M. Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. Open Vet. J.. 2025; 15(9): 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49

Web Style

Al-hasson HA, Al-niaeem KS, Elbour M. Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=256444 [Access: October 06, 2025]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Al-hasson HA, Al-niaeem KS, Elbour M. Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. Open Vet. J.. 2025; 15(9): 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Al-hasson HA, Al-niaeem KS, Elbour M. Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. Open Vet. J.. (2025), [cited October 06, 2025]; 15(9): 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


Harvard Style

Al-hasson, H. A., Al-niaeem, . K. S. & Elbour, . M. (2025) Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. Open Vet. J., 15 (9), 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


Turabian Style

Al-hasson, Hayder A.h., Khalidah S. Al-niaeem, and Monia Elbour. 2025. Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. Open Veterinary Journal, 15 (9), 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


Chicago Style

Al-hasson, Hayder A.h., Khalidah S. Al-niaeem, and Monia Elbour. "Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio." Open Veterinary Journal 15 (2025), 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Al-hasson, Hayder A.h., Khalidah S. Al-niaeem, and Monia Elbour. "Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio." Open Veterinary Journal 15.9 (2025), 4418-4431. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Al-hasson, H. A., Al-niaeem, . K. S. & Elbour, . M. (2025) Effects of dietary pumpkin seed flour (Cucurbita pepo) supplementation on growth, physiological condition, and resistance to pathogens challenge in Cyprinus carpio. Open Veterinary Journal, 15 (9), 4418-4431. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.49


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