Original Articles Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): Bioscience Insights Published 2026-10-27

DIETARY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION MITIGATES CADMIUM-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS AND GUT MICROBIOTA DYSBIOSIS IN NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS)

Authors

  • Ayesha Murtaza Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Pakistan Author
  • Komal Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Ghulam Mustafa Department of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Mahd Nazir Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Saba Akram Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Summaya Anjum Department of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Zeshan Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Shahid Majeed Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Fayaz Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan Author
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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a key contaminant which leads to oxidative stress, gut damage and gut microbiom disruption in aquatic species. Under environmental stress, probiotics are suggested to be the dietary intervention which can maintain fish health. The aim of this study was to examine the potential protective effect of probiotics, given as feed additives, on Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus against cadmium associated toxicity. Four experimental treatments were used: Cd exposure alone, probiotic alone, Cd exposure and probiotic (combination) and untreated control. Growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, diversity and composition of gut microbiome were measured. The final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate of the fish was shown to be reduced with Cadmium exposure and the feed conversion ratio was found to increase. It also increased malondialdehyde and decreased the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione. Moreover, the size of the intestinal folds, the number of goblet cells, and the diversity of microorganism was significantly decreased due to cadmium exposure; whereas the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Aeromonas was increased. The effects of Cd exposure combined with probiotics were partially positive on all of these parameters, in terms of growth performance, antioxidant status and intestinal morphology in addition to the microbial changes towards the control profile. From the above results, it can be concluded that probiotics can be recommended as an alternative nutritional management strategy for reduction of the physiological effects of Cd exposure in Nile tilapia.

Keywords

  • Cadmium toxicity; Nile tilapia; probiotics; oxidative stress; gut microbiota; intestinal morphology

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