Selenium nanoparticle and selenomethionine as feed additives: effects on growth performance, hepatic enzymes' activity, mucosal immune parameters, liver histology, and appetite-related gene transcript in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different dietary selenium sources, selenium nanoparticle (nSe), and selenomethionine (SeMet) as feed additives on growth performance, hepatic enzymes' activity, biochemical, mucosal immune parameters, liver histology, and appetite-related gene transcript in goldfish (Carassius auratus). At first, goldfish juveniles (n=480; mean 4.54 g) were fed dietary selenium nanoparticle at 0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mg nSe/kg diet and SeMet at 0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mg Se/kg for 9 weeks. Growth performance was evaluated using standard procedures. Blood, skin mucus, and tissue samples (liver and intestine) were collected for biochemical, mucosal immune response, histology, and ghrelin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene expression. The results showed that fish fed diets fortified with 0.6 mg nSe/kg and 0.6 mg Se/kg had a significant higher weight gain, specific growth rates (SGR), and lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) than fish fed basal diets (p<0.05). Furthermore, dietary nSe and SeMet enhanced blood biochemical profiles especially alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05) and mucosal immunity than the control group in goldfish. Moreover, the liver histological investigation showed that fish fed 0.9 mg of SeMet and nSe kg(-1) diets had higher liver lesion scores such as karyolysis, lipidosis, and hyperemia while fish fed 0, 0.3, and 0.6 mg of SeMet and nSe kg(-1) diets had small liver changes at 9 weeks. The study further established that inclusion of nSe and SeMet in the diet of goldfish greatly promoted ghrelin and IGF-1genes expressions (p <0.05). Overall, dietary nSe performs better than SeMet and basal diets. The results evoked that nSe and SeMet stimulate the growth, biochemical, and mucosal immunity in goldfish at 0.6 mg/kg.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with selenium nanoparticles and selenomethionine improved growth performance and immune function in goldfish. Additionally, inclusion of these two selenium sources had positive effects on liver histology and appetite-related gene expression in goldfish.