Impact of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Leaves on the Health Status of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Cadmium Toxicity | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences | ||||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 01 July 2025 PDF (1.04 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejvs.2024.294161.2140 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Elham S Awad   1; Wafaa T Abbas 2; Taghreed B Ibrahim 2; Waleed Salah El-Din Soliman 2; Mohamed Nabih Authman 2
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| 1Hydrobiology Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir Street, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. | ||||
| 2Hydrobiology Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Medicinal plants have recently gained more attention in sustaining fish health. This study focuses on using moringa leaves (crude and extract) as a feed additive to enhance Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health including growth, immunity, and antioxidant enzymes in the presence of cadmium toxicity. Fish were divided into six groups: two control groups (one negative, (C) and one positive exposed to cadmium chloride (Cd)). The other four groups were exposed to cadmium chloride while fed with 1% (T1) &0.5% (T2) of crude moringa leaves and with 1% (T3) &0.5% (T4) of moringa leaves extract. After 30 days, growth, hematological, biochemical, immunological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and cadmium residues in different tissues were assessed. The results of Cd group showed a significant reduction in weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte %, and lysozyme activity. Also, it showed a significant increase in protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, glucose, cholesterol, catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels. Crude moringa groups revealed a significant enhancement in WBC, lymphocyte, protein, albumin, globulin, and lysozyme activity and a decrease in CAT and GST values compared to Cd group. Also, they recorded an increase in WG and SGR compared to Cd group. The present study showed that moringa triggers cadmium accumulation in liver and gills however, it was significantly lower in gonads and muscles of moringa-treated groups. The study concludes that crude moringa leaves, especially at low concentrations (0.5%), are safe as feed additives to enhance overall health, growth, and immunity in Nile tilapia, and mitigate the toxic effects of cadmium. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Moringa leaves; Nile tilapia; Growth performance; Immune status; Antioxidants; Cadmium residues | ||||
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