<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This study investigates the synergistic impact of silymarin (SI) levels combined with inorganic selenium (sodium selenite: Se) on growth, feed utilization, biochemical parameters, antioxidants, innate immunity, intestinal and liver histology, and gene expression of Thinlip mullet (<italic>Liza ramada</italic>) juveniles. The experimental design involved thinlip mullets initially weighing 3.5±0.13 g, distributed in a completely randomized design with 30 fish per hapa (0.5 × 0.5 × 1 m), and conducted in triplicate over 60 days. Seven experimental diets were employed, including a control (without SI and Se supplementation), a negative control (with only Se supplementation), and four treatments with varying levels of silymarin (250, 450, 650, 850 mg/kg) alongside selenium (0.5 mg/kg diet). The growth performance results highlighted significant enhancements in final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, particularly in the SI 850 mg/kg + Se treatment. Survival rates, feed intake, and feed conversion ratios showed positive trends across the SI-Se supplemented groups. Biochemical profiles of serum exhibited that the control diet-induced elevated concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, and urea, while Se or SI supplementation significantly mitigated these levels, with the lowest concentrations observed in the SI-Se supplemented groups. Moreover, SI supplementation increased serum protein content. Antioxidant enzyme activities, represented by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and catalase (GPx), demonstrated notable improvements in the SI-Se fortified groups, with significantly elevated GPx activity compared to the Se-supplemented and control groups. Immune system responses, including lysozyme, bactericidal, Nitro-blue Tetrazolium (NBT%), and serum alternative complement pathway (ACH50) activities, were highest in the SI-Se augmented groups. SI and Se in <italic>L. ramada</italic> reduce liver pro-inflammatory gene expression (<italic>il-1β</italic>, <italic>hepcidin</italic>) vs. control group. Histological examinations of the intestine and liver depicted structural enhancements, especially at moderate and high levels of SI with Se supplementation. The results indicate improved intestinal villi morphology and hepatic architecture, supporting the positive influence of dietary treatments on the health of thinlip mullet juveniles. In conclusion, the combined supplementation of SI at 850 mg/kg diet and Se at 0.5 mg/kg diet positively influenced the growth, biochemical profiles, antioxidant status, immune responses, gene expression, and histological integrity of Thinlip mullet juveniles, providing valuable insights for optimizing aquafeed formulations.</p>
</abstract>

This study investigates the synergistic impact of silymarin (SI) levels combined with inorganic selenium (sodium selenite: Se) on growth, feed utilization, biochemical parameters, antioxidants, innate immunity, intestinal and liver histology, and gene expression of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles. The experimental design involved thinlip mullets initially weighing 3.5±0.13 g, distributed in a completely randomized design with 30 fish per hapa (0.5 × 0.5 × 1 m), and conducted in triplicate over 60 days. Seven experimental diets were employed, including a control (without SI and Se supplementation), a negative control (with only Se supplementation), and four treatments with varying levels of silymarin (250, 450, 650, 850 mg/kg) alongside selenium (0.5 mg/kg diet). The growth performance results highlighted significant enhancements in final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, particularly in the SI 850 mg/kg + Se treatment. Survival rates, feed intake, and feed conversion ratios showed positive trends across the SI-Se supplemented groups. Biochemical profiles of serum exhibited that the control diet-induced elevated concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, and urea, while Se or SI supplementation significantly mitigated these levels, with the lowest concentrations observed in the SI-Se supplemented groups. Moreover, SI supplementation increased serum protein content. Antioxidant enzyme activities, represented by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and catalase (GPx), demonstrated notable improvements in the SI-Se fortified groups, with significantly elevated GPx activity compared to the Se-supplemented and control groups. Immune system responses, including lysozyme, bactericidal, Nitro-blue Tetrazolium (NBT%), and serum alternative complement pathway (ACH50) activities, were highest in the SI-Se augmented groups. SI and Se in L. ramada reduce liver pro-inflammatory gene expression (il-1β, hepcidin) vs. control group. Histological examinations of the intestine and liver depicted structural enhancements, especially at moderate and high levels of SI with Se supplementation. The results indicate improved intestinal villi morphology and hepatic architecture, supporting the positive influence of dietary treatments on the health of thinlip mullet juveniles. In conclusion, the combined supplementation of SI at 850 mg/kg diet and Se at 0.5 mg/kg diet positively influenced the growth, biochemical profiles, antioxidant status, immune responses, gene expression, and histological integrity of Thinlip mullet juveniles, providing valuable insights for optimizing aquafeed formulations.

Synergistic benefits of dietary silymarin and selenium on growth, immune functions, antioxidants, and gut/liver health of Thinlip mullet (<italic>Liza ramada</italic>) juveniles

Department of Animal and Fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha)

Nucleic Acids Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications

Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

Fish Nutrition Laboratory, Aquaculture Division

Department of Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology, Central Laboratory for Aquaculture Research

Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Synergistic benefits of dietary silymarin and selenium on growth, immune functions, antioxidants, and gut/liver health of Thinlip mullet () juveniles

This study investigates the synergistic impact of silymarin (SI) levels combined with inorganic selenium (sodium selenite: Se) on growth, feed utilization,...

Synergistic benefits of dietary silymarin and selenium on growth, immune functions, antioxidants, and gut/liver health of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles

Pubblicato online: 24 apr 2024

Pagine: -

Ricevuto: 01 gen 2024

Accettato: 03 apr 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2024-0044

Parole chiave
bioactive supplementation, growth augmentation, immunity, gene, gene, histological brilliance,

© 2024 Akram Ismael Shehata et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Synergistic benefits of dietary silymarin and selenium on growth, immune functions, antioxidants, and gut/liver health of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles

Pubblicato online: 24 apr 2024

Pagine: -

Ricevuto: 01 gen 2024

Accettato: 03 apr 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2024-0044

Parole chiavebioactive supplementation, growth augmentation, immunity, gene, gene, histological brilliance,

© 2024 Akram Ismael Shehata et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Parole chiave
bioactive supplementation, growth augmentation, immunity, gene, gene, histological brilliance,