Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract affects growth performance, body composition, haematology, serum and mucosal immune parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The present study was designed to investigate the dietary effects of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Three hundred and sixty fish weighing 10.9 ± 0.17 g were randomly divided into four experimental treatments in triplicates. Four experimental diets were designed containing different inclusion levels of ginger extract as 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% named T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, and fish were fed 3% of body weight daily for 60 days. Feed conversion ratio, weight gain, and specific growth rate parameters were measured higher in the groups fed with ginger extract compared to the control, especially in T3 (P < 0.05). Also, fish treated with ginger extract showed lower carcass moisture and lipid, but higher protein contents compared to the control. The results showed significant increase in the number of erythrocytes and leucocytes, as well as the level of hematocrit and hemoglobin in fish fed with supplemented diets. In addition, significant enhancement was observed in cases of serum parameters, including total protein, albumin, globulin, lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total immunoglobulins in T3 and T4 compared to the control. The lowest serum cortisol level was noticed in T3. Furthermore, the T3 group showed the highest activities of skin mucus lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, and protease (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that Zingiber officinale extract at a 0.2% level can effectively improve the growth and health status of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) sublethal concentrations on common carp (Cyprinus carpio): Bioaccumulation, hematology, serum biochemistry and immunology, antioxidant enzymes, and skin mucosal responses.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different waterborne sublethal concentrations of Ag-NPs LC50 (96h) on common carp Cyprinus carpio using a multi-biomarker approach. Fish (9.22 ± 0.12 g) were stocked in fiberglass tanks and exposed to concentrations of 0 (control), 12.5%, 25% and 50% of Ag-NPs LC50 (96h) or Ag-NO3 LC50 (96h), as the source of Ag+ ion, for a period of 21 days. At the end of study, tissue Ag contents were significantly (P < 0.05) higher and different in fish exposed to concentrations of 25% and 50% compared to the control. The numbers of RBCs, hematocrit, and MCHC values at these concentrations differed significantly in respect to the control. No significant effects were observed for hemoglobin, MCH, and MCV values. The number of WBCs was significantly higher at concentrations of 12.5% and 25% compared to the control. Meanwhile, the percentage of neutrophils significantly elevated at concentrations of 25% and 50%. Serum total protein at concentration of 50% detected significantly lower than that of 12.5% or the control. The serum albumin and globulin levels significantly declined in Ag-NPs-exposed groups versus the control. The serum ACH50 and total immunoglobulins showed significantly lower values in the treatments of 25% and 50% compared to the control. The serum glucose, cortisol, ALT, and ALP values significantly escalated upon Ag-NPs exposure. The serum SOD and CAT showed enhanced activity in the treatment of 12.5% vice versa significantly diminished at concentrations of 25% and 50% compared to the control. The exposure to the concentrations of 25% and 50% significantly dwindled the lysozyme activity and total immunoglobulin levels in skin mucus. In conclusion, sublethal concentrations of Ag-NPs LC50 (96h) impaired fish health status at higher concentrations and 12.5% of Ag-NPs LC50 (96h) was presumably safe for common carp aquaculture.

Protective effects of Allium jesdianum essential oil on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to sub-lethal toxicity of cypermethrin.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Allium jesdianum essential oil (AJEO) in decreasing cypermethrin toxicity for rainbow trout. First, the safety of the 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% AJEO supplements was assayed after 60 days. Then, the protective effects of AJEO were studied on fish exposed to 12.5% 96h LC50 cypermethrin after 14 days. Results showed that 1 and 1.5% AJEO administration enhanced protease and lipase activities in the intestine and improved growth performance. Moreover, feeding fish with 1 and 1.5% AJEO increased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA). Also, AJEO increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in serum. However, exposure to cypermethrin significantly decreased these enzyme activities and increased MDA. The oxidative biomarkers remained normal in fish fed with AJEO after exposure to cypermethrin. The administration of 1 and 1.5% AJEO significantly decreased cortisol and glucose levels, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Although exposure to cypermethrin significantly increased these biochemical biomarkers, AJEO could adjust them. A significant effect of 1% AJEO on total protein and globulin was observed before and after exposure to cypermethrin. Exposure to cypermethrin decreased all immunological parameters in the serum and mucus. However, administration of 1% AJEO increased protease, lysozyme (LYS) activities, total immunoglobulin (Ig), complement C3 and C4, and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) in the serum and ALP, LYS, protease activities and Ig in mucus. In conclusion, results showed that AJEO could potentially decrease the toxicity effects of cypermethrin in fish.

Protective effects of summer savory (Satureja hortensis) oil on growth, biochemical, and immune system performance of common carp exposed to pretilachlor herbicide.

There are many reports on the deleterious effects of herbicides on aquatic organisms which lead to tremendous biological, environmental and economical damage. In this regard, in the present study, the protective effect of summer savory (Satureja hortensis) essential oil (SEO) against pretilachlor, one of the most used herbicides was investigated in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The fish assigned to six treatment groups (T1: control treatment; T2: 25% LC50 pretilachlor herbicide; T3: 50% LC50 pretilachlor herbicide; T4: 1% SEO; T5: 25% LC50 pretilachlor herbicide + 1% SEO; and T6: 25% LC50 pretilachlor herbicide + 1% SEO) for 21 days. The results showed that the SEO-containing treatments significantly increased the survival rate (SR) (P < 0.05). The highest final weight (FW), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in the T4 treatment (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in glucose (GLU) level in pretilachlor treatments and a significant decrease in SEO-containing treatments compared to the control (P < 0.05). The significantly highest total protein (TP) content was observed in T4 treatment containing SEO. Cholesterol (CHOL) and triglyceride (TRIG) levels decreased in SEO-containing treatments with the lowest level in T4 treatment (P < 0.05). Alternative complement pathway activity (ACH50), activity levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) showed an increasing trend in SEO-containing treatments with the highest level in T4 treatment (P < 0.05). The activity of liver enzymes showed a significantly lowest level in T4 treatment. To conclude, our findings revealed that the use of SEO in fish exposed to pretilachlor herbicide could improve growth, strengthen the immune system and exert a protective effect on common carp.

Protective effect of dietary vitamin E on immunological and biochemical induction through silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inclusion in diet and silver salt (AgNO3) exposure on Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

The present study evaluated silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) toxicity using biomarkers of oxidative and metabolic stress, immunological impairment and cellular damage in zebrafish (Danio rerio), as well as the optimal dose of vitamin E neutralizing undesirable effects. Fish were fed for ten days and eight study groups were investigated: controls, AgNPs exposure alone (1.5 mg L-1) and combined with three different vitamin E doses (1.5 mg L-1 of AgNPs + vitamin E 100, 200 or 400 mg kg-1 of food), also one positive control group exposed to AgNO3 alone or combined with the same vitamin E doses. D. rerio exposed to AgNPs alone or combined with the lower vitamin E dose showed overall worse results in comparison with the control groups and the groups combining nanoparticles and 200 or 400 mg kg-1 of food of vitamin E-supplemented diet. AgNPs caused cell impairment by increasing LDH activity and cortisol levels, generated oxidative stress by inhibiting SOD and CAT activity and immunosuppression by inhibiting ACH50 and lysozyme activity. The groups exposed to Ag salt showed the same response-pattern found for the NPs groups, reinforcing that Ag toxicity of AgNPs is mediated by Ag+. In conclusion, although AgNPs are toxic to Danio rerio, vitamin E supplementation at 200 or 400 mg kg-1 can act protectively against its toxic effects.