This study aims to compare effects of sources levels of zinc on growth and carcass quality, some haematological and serological indices of juvenile beluga sturgeon, Huso huso (Linnaeus, 1758). A number of 315 juvenile beluga sturgeon (8.4±0.29) were fed in 21 500 lit fiberglass tanks (15 fish per tank) under 7 experimental diets including 1 control diet plus 6 diets containing zinc (mg per kg of diet) in two forms of mineral (zinc sulfate) (ZnSul₁₅, ZnSul_30, and ZnSul₆₀ treatments) and organic (chelated with methionine) (ZnMet_15, ZnMet₃₀, and ZnMet₆₀ treatments) with three replications per treatment for 12 weeks. The best values of final weight and feed conversion ratio were observed in the ZnMet₁₅ and ZnMet₆₀ treatments_. Red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit showed an incremental trend influenced by increased zinc supplement. Increased carcass protein in the ZnMet₃₀ treatment was significant compared to the control, ZnSul₁₅, and, ZnSul₃₀ treatments (P≤0.05). Reduced carcass lipid in the ZnSul₃₀ and ZnSul₆₀ treatments was significant compared to the other treatments (P≤0.05). Serum triglyceride and cholesterol decreased in the ZnMet treatments compared to the control treatment. Reduced serum glucose in the ZnMet₁₅ and ZnMet₆₀ treatments and also increased serum lysozyme in the ZnMet₃₀ and ZnMet₆₀ treatments were significant compared to the control treatment (P≤0.05). Results demonstrated that most of the indices had better performance in the ZnMet treatments comparted to the other treatments and are proposed as an optimal diet for juvenile beluga sturgeon.
 

Keywords: Mineral zinc, Organic zinc, haematological indices, Serology, Beluga sturgeon

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