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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Effect of Antibiotics on the Haemocyte Count and Rearing Performance of Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

Iqra Rafiq, Z. I. Buhroo, K. A. Sahaf, N. A. Ganie, M. F. Baqual, S. A. Mir, Shahina A. Nagoo, Sabiha Ashraf Kirmani

Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology · pp. 528–538 · Published 31 Dec 2020

10.9734/cjast/2020/v39i4831274

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic agents have been used in recent years to increase the growth of silkworm larvae and to improve production. In this context, the present investigation reported the effects of ceftiofur sodium, oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin on total haemocyte count (cells/mm3), survival percentage and economic characteristics in silkworm Bombyx mori L. at various concentration levels. The study regarding the effect of antibiotics was conducted on the silkworm breed APS-45. Three concentrations (0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15%) were prepared for each antibiotic. The worms were reared upto 3rd instar without any treatment. After third moult silkworms were supplemented with antibiotic fortified mulberry leaves. Results: The experimental results showed that the effect of different antibiotics on economic parameters like larval weight, larval duration, cocoon weight, shell ratio and raw silk percentage were significantly increased in the treated lines in comparison to the control. Antibiotics also increased survival percentage and the most effective result was obtained at 0.15% of ceftiofur sodium followed by oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin. In the present study highest THC value of 9157.33 mm/cm3 was recorded in treatment ceftiofur sodium treated batch at concentration C3 0.15%. An increment in the total haemocyte count was observed in other treatments as well and the cell count increased with an increase in concentration of antibiotic dosage and the effectiveness of the antibiotics followed the order ceftiofur sodium, oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin. Conclusion: This research outlines that there is a significant improvement in the total haemocyte count and economic traits in silkworm with the supplementation of antibiotic fortified mulberry leaves. The antibiotic treatment has significantly improved the raw silk percentage and has been found to be effective in reducing the mortality of silkworms. So, this antibiotic fortification can be further exploited for higher raw silk production.

Antibiotics Bombyx mori haemocytes rearing performance silkworm.

Cited by 2

Is antibiotic (mis)use an emerging ecological threat to wild insects?

C. Ruth Archer, Jana Dobelmann, Vincent Doublet · Journal of Insect Physiology · 2025

Showing 1 of 2 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

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