There are different situations of stress in which a high rate of cellular replication is required. In these cases, nucleotides can be considered as an “essential” nutrient. In addition, diets lacking in nucleotides have been associated with lower rates of mitosis in lymphocytes, low production of interleukin-2 and a lesser degree of humoral immunity Chandra and Kumarsi (1994). The purpose of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of the free nucleotides supply (NUCLEOFORCE®) on the immune response, growth and survival of fattening in gilthead bream. 400 gilthead bream (Sparus aurata) of 55 g were distributed in 8 tank of 500 L of sea water filtered and recirculated to maintain a temperature of 18ºC. Gilthead bream were fed ad libitum during 2 months with three different diets: including 200, 400 and 800 ppm of nucleotides respectively. At the end of the trial blood was extracted to measure haematological and immunological parameters. Samples of intestinal mucosa were collected for histology. No differences between treatments was observed on the growth and survival. However, a qualitative increase in the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) per histological section was observed in the nucleotide supplemented gilthead bream. (Figure 1) In addition, the phagocytic capacity of the leukocytes was improved (p<0.05) with the dose of 200 ppm. (Figure 2) .

 

These results suggest that Nucleoforce® promote the cellular immune response when i t is provided in the gilthead bream fattening food at a correct dose