**3. Conclusion**

evaluated as a morpho-histological index variable [HCI (%) = hepatopancreatic coverage area/cephalothorax coverage area × 100]. From an initial time characterised by no significant differences in BW and TL after 130 days of culture both HOM (T1 and T2) produced the best

**Figure 10.** Growth in weight (left) and gene expression (right) in *Litopenaeus vannamei* postlarvae or adult treated and with homoeopathic medicines in a commercial shrimp hatchery (Acuacultura Mahr). Aminopeptidase (AMP), amylase

The shrimp treated with PaV-VIT after 52 days of treatment (T1) achieved the highest HCI (32.32 ± 0.61%) and differed from PhA − SIT and un-treated control ponds. (28.34 ± 0.87%; 26.58 ± 0.64%, respectively). At the end of the experiment (130 days), both homoeopathic treatments showed better HCI; in relation to the negative control group (PhA − SIT *=* 33.87 ± 1.02%;

The positive effect of the HOM treatments evaluated in growth and morpho-histological index of *L. vannamei* could be attributable to smaller micelle and higher activity in water with

(7 days) 2.47 ± 0.06 <sup>a</sup> 2.43 ± 0.06 <sup>a</sup> 2.52 ± 0.07 <sup>a</sup>

(52 days) 16.79 ± 0.22 <sup>a</sup> 16.02 ± 0.19 <sup>a</sup> **18.83 ± 0.21 <sup>b</sup>**

(130 days) 20.08 ± 0.18 **<sup>a</sup>** 18.59 ± 0.17 **<sup>b</sup> 23.90 ± 0.29 <sup>c</sup>**

(7 days) 7.13 ± 0.05 <sup>a</sup> 7.08 ± 0.05 <sup>a</sup> 7.06 ± 0.06 <sup>a</sup>

(52 days) 13.89 ± 0.05 <sup>a</sup> 13.71 ± 0.06 <sup>a</sup> 14.31 ± 0.06 **<sup>b</sup>**

(130 days) 15.02 ± 0.05 **<sup>a</sup>** 14.66 ± 0.05 **<sup>b</sup> 15.81 ± 0.06 <sup>c</sup>**

(52 days) 14.37 ± 0.27 ab 13,59 ± 0.05 <sup>a</sup> 15,72 ± 0.78 **<sup>b</sup>**

(130 days) 17.58 ± 0.26 **<sup>a</sup>** 16,41 ± 0.14 **<sup>b</sup> 21,08 ± 0.64 <sup>c</sup>**

Body weight (BW), Total length (TL), weight gain average (WGA). Values within the same row with different letters

**Table 4.** Growth of *Litopenaeus vanamei* treated with homoeopathy while cultured in semi-intensive system in a

**T1 T3 T2**

growth results in BW, TL and WGA compared to NT ponds (**Table 4**).

PaV − VIT = 33.31 ± 0.77% control T3 = 26.54 ± 0.56%) as shown in **Figure 11**.

**Growth variables Experimental groups (Two 10 h ponds each)**

commercial shrimp farm (BCS Camarón Farm; six earthen ponds, 10 ha).

BW T<sup>0</sup>

BW T<sup>1</sup>

BW T<sup>2</sup>

TL T0

TL T1

TL T2

WGA T<sup>1</sup>

WGA T<sup>2</sup>

represent significant differences (*p* < 0.05).

(AMY), chymotrypsin (CHY), trypsin (TRY).

86 Aquaculture - Plants and Invertebrates

One of the most promising and novel fields that strengthen the immune system in marine organisms is the use of immunostimulants that are natural compounds modulating the immune system and increasing resistance of the host against disease mainly those caused by bacteria [18]. Regarding immunostimulants, homoeopathy has been proposed as a novel alternative in aquaculture practices to improve health and strengthen the organism's immune response [5, 23]. The production of marine mollusc, shrimp and fish around the world still challenged every year by the propagation and emergence of new diseases, mainly those related to viruses and bacteria such as *Vibrio spp.* and *Aeromonas spp.*, which are treated with conventional methods as antibiotics [2, 14]. The findings in our research suggested that homoeopathic medicines have a great potential to increase health and performance in marine mollusc including bivalves and octopus, shrimp and marine fish.

Findings in the scallop *A. ventricosus* support the fact that homoeopathic medicines do not act directly over the disease-cause *per-se*, killing the bacteria or removing the stressing agent but enhancing the capacity of the HOM-treated organisms to resist the infection or overpass stressful conditions. Some results in molluscs have shown a greater effect of homoeopathic medicines on survival than on growth of larvae and seeds. However, it is necessary to consider that greater survival implies maintaining a higher density in larval culture and that not only larvae of larger size are able to settle and become marketable seeds with a good performance in the field. From a commercial point of view, it is more important to attain bigger biomass of successfully setting larvae even if small sized because independently of their

size, all larvae are capable and competent for setting process and seed sales. This work has also contributed to the knowledge of octopus for aquaculture purposes since this organism is an important fishery in Mexico with precocious development and high growth rates. For this and all other species, homoeopathic medicines are not intended as food additives; on the contrary, they contribute to acquire a better internal homeostasis, and as a consequence, a better digestive enzyme function and nutrition, and an enhanced immune system, despite of lacking differences in growth parameters. Regarding fish culture, this industry is increasing with time in Mexico but especially marine fish, which represents a great opportunity to improve fish culture by using homoeopathy; as it was demonstrated in this work, it participates at diverse developmental stages, enhancing fish health and growth performance.

3 Freelance Services for R&D in Marine Aquaculture, La Paz, B.C.S., México 4 Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas I.P.N., La Paz, B.C.S., México

6 Centro Ostrícola Tecnológico de Tabasco (Commercial Oyster Hatchery), Villahermosa,

Aquacultural Homoeopathy: A Focus on Marine Species http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78030 89

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5 Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (FCA), Quevedo, Ecuador

7 BCS Camarón (Commercial Shrimp Farm), La Paz, B.C.S., México

8 Acuacultura Mahr (Commercial Shrimp Hatchery), La Paz, B.C.S., México 9 Acuacultura Robles (Commercial Oyster Hatchery), La Paz, B.C.S., México

Tabasco, México

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To date, overall results are positive and suggest that homoeopathy is a natural, viable and eco-friendly treatment to reduce the use of disinfectants and chemotherapeutics, including antibiotics, in mollusc, shrimp and marine fish industries, to reduce stress, improve nutrition and immune response, to increase their resistance to any of the various pathogenic strains of bacteria and viruses that have come to hatcheries and farms and will continue to reach them worldwide. Future experiments are being planned at CIBNOR to elucidate the role that homoeopathic medications could play in these organisms.
