Histopathology changes in the rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) consuming boric acid supplemented fish fodder

Effects of Boric Acid on Oxidative Stress Parameters, Growth Performance and Blood Parameters of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with a starting weight of 397.28 ± 3.21 g were fed different ratios (G1-0.00%, G2-0.010%, G3-0.025%, and G4-0.050%) of boric acid-supplemented feed for 140 days. The effects of dietary boric acid on oxidative stress parameters, growth performance, haematology and some biochemical parameters were investigated after the feeding period. The addition of boric acid to trout feed positively affected growth performance; the final weights of the groups were 928.15 ± 5.73 g, 955.87 ± 8.67 g, 994.24994,75 ± 7.46 g, and 976.80976,80 ± 6.26 g for the control group and the three experimental groups, respectively. The lowest feed conversation ratio (FCR) was 1.19 (G3) whereas the highest was 1.42 (G1). The lowest protein efficiency ratio was 1.63 (G1), while the highest was 1.95 (G3). In this study, it was observed that boric acid added to the feed changed muscle and blood oxidative stress parameters in rainbow trout, increased the growth performance of rainbow trout, and affected blood and biochemistry values.

Evaluation of Possible Toxic Effects of Boric Acid in Palourde Clam (Ruditapes decussatus) Through Histological Changes and Oxidative Responses

The extensive utilization of boric acid, particularly in industrial and agricultural sectors, also engenders concerns regarding the toxicity of boron and its derivatives. Particularly, the behavior of boric acid at increasing concentrations in aquatic ecosystems remains poorly understood. In light of these concerns, this study aimed to investigate the toxicity of boric acid in bivalves, which occupy a critical position in the food chain. Specimens of Ruditapes decussatus, which had not been previously exposed to any pollutants and were cultivated under controlled conditions, were subjected to three different concentrations of boric acid (0.05 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, and 5 mg/L) in vitro for 96 h. Following the exposure period, the specimens were assessed for histological changes (the mantle, gill, and digestive gland) and specific oxidative parameters (the gill and digestive gland), including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation (LPO). The research findings indicated that boric acid primarily induced oxidative damage at the applied concentrations and increased antioxidant levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, although no significant histopathological abnormalities were observed in the examined histological sections, subtle changes were noted. This study evaluated the potential adverse effects of boric acid on bivalves, which are crucial components of the aquatic food chain, utilizing histological and specific physiological parameters following its introduction into aquatic environments. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will contribute to the development of new insights and perspectives regarding the extensive use of boric acid.

Immunotoxicological, histopathological, and ultrastructural effects of waterborne pyrogallol exposure on African catfish (Clariasgariepinus)

Pyrogallol is a naturally occurring polyphenol derived from natural plants, such as Acer rubrum and Eucalyptus sp. The current study was designed to evaluated pyrogallol-mediated toxicity at sublethal levels (1, 5, and 10 mg/L), derived from 96 h-LC50 values previously determined for African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Immunotoxicological indices, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural alterations in C. gariepinus were evaluated following a 15-day pyrogallol exposure. Pyrogallol decreased immune parameters [lysozyme activity (LYZ), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and phagocytic activity] and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum of C. gariepinus. In addition, histopathology analysis demonstrated that exposure to pyrogallol induced injury in the liver and spleen of fish. Cellular changes in the liver include hepatocyte hydropic degeneration, melanomacrophage, vacuolated hepatocytes, congested blood, severe structural deformation, and hemorrhage. In the spleen, ellipsoid structures, melanomacrophage centers, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were evident. Together, a high frequency of histopathological lesions was scored in both the liver and spleen of C. gariepinus, which showed a dose-dependent relationship between pyrogallol exposure and histopathological indices. Our data suggest that dysfunction in the immune system may be mediated by pyrogallol-induced changes in cytokines.

Histomorphometric evaluation of melanomacrophage centers (MMCs) and CD3+ T cells of two morphs of brown trout (Salmo trutta) fed diets with immunostimulants

The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a salmonid residing in riverine and coastal waters throughout the Northern Hemisphere, whose various populations evolved into distinct ecological morphs, differing in their migratory tendencies and preferred habitats. Unfortunately, due to progressing degradation of natural environment, the conservation of these populations is of growing importance and is undoubtedly a challenging task. Therefore, various means to refine the preparatory protocols for restocking using hatchery-reared fish are being pursued, some of which involve the administration of immunity-boosting substances. The current study assessed the effects of two dietary immunostimulants: Bioimmuno (4% inosine pranobex and 96% β-glucan) and Focus Plus (commercial preparation by Biomar, Denmark) on two morphs of the brown trout - the river trout (S. trutta morpha fario) and the sea trout (S. trutta morpha trutta). Tissue samples were obtained from ∼75 to 100g fish after 0, 2 and 4 weeks of experimental feeding. Multi-factorial analysis of conducted histological measurements of melanomacrophage centers (MMCs) revealed no changes of their parameters within spleens, but showed a decrease of the occupied tissue area and MMC counts in the livers, progressing with time regardless of the applied diet. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD3+ T cells showed their increased recruitment into mucosal folds of pyloric caeca in the 2-week sampling of trouts fed with the diet with 2% Bioimmuno addition, but this effect was not present in the 4-week sampling. When studying all groups jointly within each morph, there was a significant difference in terms of maintained CD3+ T cells levels, as sea trouts showed significantly higher tissue areas occupied by these cells than river trouts, both in the pyloric caeca and hepatic parenchyma. The study revealed that feeding with a diet enriched with Bioimmuno for 2 weeks may be a favorable enhancement of rearing protocols of brown trout stocks prior to their release, but more studies need to be conducted to test the possibility of an even shorter feeding period.

Dietary effect of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract mitigates hepatic disorders caused by oxidized fish oil in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The major goal of this study was to determine the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on liver damage in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that was caused by the consumption of dietary oxidized fish oil (OFO). Rainbow trout were fed six different experimental diets coded OX-GSE 0 (OFO diet), OX-GSE 1 (OFO and 0.1% GSE), OX-GSE 3 (OFO and 0.3% GSE), GSE 0 (fresh fish oil and 0.0% GSE), GSE 1 (fresh fish oil and 0.1% GSE), and GSE 3 (fresh fish oil and 0.3% GSE) for 30 days. The lowest % hepatosomatic index (HSI) result was calculated in fish fed with OX-GSE 0 and the highest HSI was determined in fish fed with GSE 1 diets (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, hydropic degeneration in hepatocytes significantly increased OX-GSE 0 and GSE 3 compared to GSE 1 diets (p < 0.05). Deposition of lipid droplets in hepatocytes was significantly increased in OX-GSE 0 and OX-GSE 3 groups than others (p < 0.05). Liver biochemistry parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly affected by OX and GSE treatments (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) among the liver enzymes analyzed in serum in OX and GSE (p < 0.05), meanwhile no difference was observed in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, liver biochemistry and histopathology of rainbow trout consuming diets containing oxidized fish oil were negatively affected. However, it was determined that the supplementation of 0.1% GSE to the diet had a significant ameliorative role in these adverse effects.

Boric acid transport activity of marine teleost aquaporins expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Marine teleosts ingest large amounts of seawater containing various ions, including 0.4 mM boric acid, which can accumulate at toxic levels in the body. However, the molecular mechanisms by which marine teleosts absorb and excrete boric acid are not well understood. Aquaporins (Aqps) are homologous to the nodulin-like intrinsic protein (NIP) family of plant boric acid channels. To investigate the potential roles of Aqps on boric acid transport across the plasma membrane in marine teleosts, we analyzed the function of Aqps of Japanese pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Takifugu genome database contains 16 genes encoding the aquaporin family members (aqp0a, aqp0b, aqp1aa, aqp1ab, aqp3a, aqp4a, aqp7, aqp8bb, aqp9a, aqp9b, aqp10aa, aqp10bb, aqp11a, aqp11b, aqp12, and aqp14). When T. rubripes Aqps (TrAqps) were expressed in X. laevis oocytes, a swelling assay showed that boric acid permeability was significantly increased in oocytes expressing TrAqp3a, 7, 8bb, 9a, and 9b. The influx of boric acid into these oocytes was also confirmed by elemental quantification. Electrophysiological analysis using a pH microelectrode showed that these TrAqps increase B(OH)3 permeability. These results indicate that TrAqp3a, 7, 8bb, 9a, and 9b act as boric acid transport systems, likely as channels, in marine teleosts.

Biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic responses to total dissolved gas supersaturation and their underlying molecular mechanisms in Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)

With the rapid development of hydropower facility construction, the total dissolved gas (TDG) generated by dam discharge is seriously threatening the survival of fish and has become an ecological environmental issue of global concern. However, how TDG affects fish physiology and the underlying molecular mechanism remain poorly known. In this study, Acipenser dabryanus, an ancient living fossil that is a flagship species of the Yangtze River, was exposed to water supersaturated with TDG at a level of 116% for 48 h. A comprehensive analysis was performed to study the effect of TDG supersaturation stress on A. dabryanus, including histopathological, biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. The histopathological results showed that mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues were seriously damaged after TDG supersaturation stress. Plasma catalase levels increased significantly under TDG supersaturation stress, while superoxide dismutase levels decreased significantly. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 289 upregulated genes and 162 downregulated genes in gill tissue and 535 upregulated and 104 downregulated genes in liver tissue. Metabolomic analysis revealed 63 and 164 differentially abundant metabolites between the control group and TDG group in gill and liver, respectively. The majority of heat shock proteins and genes related to ubiquitin and various immune-related pathways were significantly upregulated by TDG supersaturation stress. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed the upregulation of amino acid metabolism and glycometabolism pathways under TDG supersaturation stress. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was increased which might be associated with maintaining cell membrane integrity. This is the first study revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms of effects of TDG supersaturation on fish. Our results suggested that acute TDG supersaturation stress could enhance immune and antioxidative functions and activate energy metabolic pathways as an adaptive mechanism in A. dabryanus.

Chemical pollution impairs the health of fish species and fishery activities along the Algeria coastline, Mediterranean Sea

Chronic exposure to multiple pollutants affects aquatic organisms, even at low concentrations, and can impair fishery activities along marine coastlines. The bioavailability of toxic metals and the presence of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in both water and sediment can explain the worst-case scenario of fish health and fishery production decline along the Algeria coastline. The hepatosomatic index (HIS), gonadosomatic index (GSI), and condition factor (K) in the studied species from the Algiers, Bou Ismail, and Zemmouri bays are the first indicators of the poor environmental health along the studied region. These findings could be explained by the bioavailability of Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Hg, and Ni and the detection of PAHs in the water and sediment of these bays. Additionally, histopathological damage in the liver is described in sardine (Sardina pilchardus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), and sardinelle (Sardinella aurita) highlights the current study in the investigation of the risk of exposure to biota or human populations. The occurrence of permanent lesions in the livers of fish impairs organ function and increases the incidence of diseases affecting the fish community. Furthermore, the factor analysis with principal component analysis (FA/PCA) dataset explains the physiological disturbances described in all studied species. These findings revealed that Zemmouri bay is the most affected by chemicals, suggesting that S. pilchardus is the most sensitive species. Finally, the results showed that the bioavailability of chemicals present in the studied bays confirms poor water quality, which can explain the decrease in fishery production along the Algerian Coastline.

Does dietary incorporation level of pea protein isolate influence the digestive system morphology in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)?

In the present study, fish meal (FM) was replaced by pea (Pisum sativum) protein (PP) in diet for Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at levels of 0% (PP0), 25% (PP25), 50% (PP50), 75% (PP75) and 100% (PP100), and the effect of dietary PP level on the digestive system tracts and liver was investigated by micromorphological and histopathological evaluations. Morphometric measurements (mm 100g fish^-1 ) of the liver width and stomach length in rainbow trout were found to be significantly larger (p <0.05) in fish with high-level pea protein as the main protein source (PP75, PP100) compared to the low-level PP replacement group (PP25). No significant differences were found in morphometric measurements for pyloric caecum and intestines among treatment groups, whereas the number of the caecum of fish fed the PP25 diets significantly increased over the control (PP0) (p<0.05). In the histological examination of the liver, mild hydropic and vacuolar degeneration was observed in all experimental groups except PP0 and PP25. The measurements of pyloric caecum fold height, enterocyte length and width of tunica muscularis of the high-level pea protein groups of PP75 and PP100 were significantly higher (p <0.05) compared to the control group. In conclusion, 25% substitution of PP can be suggested for FM in trout diets, because the findings of the present study provided evidence that the digestive system improved by increasing the number of pyloric caecum at this replacement level.

Toxicity of boron and vanadium nanoparticles on Danio rerio embryos - Phenotypical, biochemical, and behavioral alterations

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging contaminants of concern and it is important to understand their environmental behavior and ecological risks to exposed organisms. Despite their ubiquitous presence in the environment, there is little information about the hazards of certain NPs, such as boron (BNPs) and vanadium (VNPs). The aim of the present research was to investigate the effects of commercial BNPs and VNPs (80 to 100 nm) to zebrafish embryos, at different levels of biological organization. A range of nominal concentrations for both NPs (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L) was tested. Due to the presence of triton X-100 in the NPs' stock dispersions, an additional control group was included (0.001% triton X-100). Survival, hatching, and malformations of embryos were assessed for 96 hours (h) exposure. Locomotor behavior was evaluated at 120 h. Furthermore, embryos were exposed to 0, 1, and 10 mg/L of NPs to evaluate a set of biomarker responses after 96 h: cholinesterase (ChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, total glutathione (TG) and energy budgets levels. VNPs induced malformations (10 mg/L), hyperactivity (10 mg/L), erratic swimming (0.01 mg/L), altered swimming pattern (>0.01 mg/L), delayed hatching (10 mg/L) and altered biochemical responses involved in antioxidant defense (GST and TG at >1 mg/L), neurotransmission (ChE at 10 mg/L) and energy metabolism (lipids at >1 mg/L and carbohydrates at 10 mg/L). BNPs caused malformations (10 mg/L), affected swimming pattern (>0.01 mg/L), induced erratic swimming (10 mg/L) and decreased TG content and GST activity (>1 mg/L). At the same concentrations, VNPs affected a greater number of endpoints than BNPs, demonstrating a greater toxicity to zebrafish embryos. The present study shows that BNPs and VNPs may affect aquatic organisms, albeit at relatively great non-environmentally relevant concentrations, reinforcing the importance of the risk assessment of different NPs.

Environmental Hazards of Boron and Vanadium Nanoparticles in the Terrestrial Ecosystem-A Case Study with Enchytraeus crypticus

From the start of the 21st century, nanoecotoxicological research has been growing in fast steps due to the need to evaluate the safety of the increasing use of engineered nanomaterials. Boron (B) and vanadium (V) nanoparticles (NPs) generated by anthropogenic activities are subsequently released in the environment; therefore, organisms can be continuously exposed to these NPs for short or long periods. However, the short and long-term effects of BNPs and VNPs on soil organisms are unknown. This work aimed to recognize and describe their potential toxicological effects on the model species Enchytraeus crypticus, assessing survival and reproduction, through a longer-term exposure (56 days (d)-OECD test extension of 28 d), and avoidance behavior, through a short-term exposure (48 hours (h)). After 28 d, BNPs did not induce a significant effect on E. crypticus survival, whereas they decreased the organisms' reproduction at 500 mg/kg. From 10 to 500 mg/kg, VNPs decreased the E. crypticus survival and/or reproduction. After 56 d, 100 to 500 mg/kg BNPs and 50 to 500 mg/kg VNPs, decreased the reproduction output of E. crypticus. The estimated Effect Concentrations (EC_x) based on reproduction, for BNPs, were lower at 56 d compared with 28 d; for VNPs, an opposite pattern was found: EC_x 28 d < EC_x 56 d. BNPs did not induce an avoidance behavior, but organisms avoided the soil contaminated with 10 mg VNPs/kg. The tested NPs showed different E. crypticus apical effects at 28 d from the ones detected at 56 d, dependent on the type of NPs (B vs. V). In general, VNPs showed to be more toxic than BNPs. However, the effects of VNPs were alleviated during the time of exposure, contrarily to BNPs (which became more toxic with extended duration). The present study adds important information about NPs toxicity with ecological significance (at the population level). Including long-term effects, the obtained results contributes to the improvement of NPs risk assessment.

Effects of boric acid on the growth performance and nutritional content of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In this study, boric acid was added to the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feed at ratios of 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.20%. The feeding period of this study continued for 90 days. The effect of boric acid on the growth parameters and nutritional composition of rainbow trout were investigated. In this research, effects on live weight gain (LWG), amount of feed intake, feed conversion rate (FCR), protein efficiency rate (PER), specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate, economic conversion rate (ECR), and economic profit index (EPI) were evaluated as growth parameters. As for nutritional contents, the total crude protein, lipid, raw ash, and humidity ratios were calculated. Rainbow trout with an initial weight of 92.04 g reached up to 195.05 ± 1.69 g, 202.69 ± 1.94 g, 217.53 ± 2.84 g, 195.25 ± 2.18 g, and 181.20 ± 1.89 g, respectively in the different levels of boric acid at the end of the trial period. The best growth performance was obtained in the group with 0.05% boric acid added, while the lowest growth performance was observed in the group with 0.20% boric acid added. It was concluded based on the results of this study that the amount of boric acid up to 0.05% in the fish feed positively affected the growth parameters and the addition of higher amounts had either no benefit or negative effects on the growth performance of rainbow trout. Furthermore, boric acid in feed affected the nutritional composition of fish meat.

Responses of Cirrhinus mrigala to second-generation fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin) toxicity: Assessment of antioxidants, tissue morphology, and inorganic ions

Ciprofloxacin drugs are a second-generation fluoroquinolone highly prescribed medication against various bacterial infections in human and aquaculture practices. These drugs are chemically designed to persist in the body long enough to achieve target objectives. Extensive usage has resulted in ciprofloxacin becoming a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment. Unfortunately, the ecotoxicological profiles for ciprofloxacin are scanty. This study was aimed to assess the ecotoxicity of ciprofloxacin at environmentally relevant concentrations (1 μg/L, and 1.5 μg/L) to a cultivable fish Cirrhinus mrigala. Responses of antioxidant enzymes, histological anomalies, and inorganic ion levels were studied. SOD activity in gill, liver, and kidney tissues was elevated in ciprofloxacin-exposed groups when compared with the control group. CAT activity was predominantly decreased in ciprofloxacin treated groups relative to the control group. GST activity in the ciprofloxacin treated groups was increased (except kidney tissues [Treatment I (1 μg/L)], and gill tissues fifteenth day) significantly (p < .05). The LPO level was elevated in the ciprofloxacin treatment groups throughout the study period (except Treatment II (1.5 μg/L) tenth day in kidney tissues). A series of histological anomalies were noticed in the gill, liver, and kidney tissues of the ciprofloxacin treated groups. Ciprofloxacin exposure caused a significant decrease of sodium, potassium, and chloride levels in the plasma of C. mrigala. A parallel among an imbalanced oxidative defense system, tissue structural changes, and alterations of plasma inorganic ions could be considered as a reliable biomarker for antibiotic toxicity study. This study could be a primary platform for further toxicity studies to understand the potential molecular impacts and adverse effects of ciprofloxacin on aquatic organisms.