Efficacy of clove powder solution on stress mitigation in juvenile common carps, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus)

Effects of clove powder solution on stress response were investigated in juvenile common carp. Juvenile common carp (about 10 g in weight), reared in 3 g/L salinity, were used in this study. Blood samples were collected before stress as pre-stress values. Thereafter, fish were exposed to crowding stress (density of 25 g/L over a 45-min period) with 0, 50, 200 and 300 mg/L clove powder. Experimental treatments were 0 mg/L clove powder (C0), 50 mg/L clove powder (C50), 200 mg/L clove powder (C200) and 300 mg/L clove powder (C300). After 45-min stress, blood samples were collected from all group in order to determine the effects of stress on blood cortisol, glucose, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ levels. Results showed that clove powder significantly prevented cortisol elevation after stress in C50, C200 and C300 compared to pre-stress values. But, glucose levels were significantly high after stress in all groups compared to pre-stress values. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations did not significantly change after stress in all groups. Results suggest that clove powder is capable of reducing cortisol elevation after stress in carp, particularly at concentrations of 300 mg/L. However, additional studies are needed to determine the effects of various clove powder concentrations on post-stress recovery period.