Impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the behavior and stress indicators of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to heat stress

• Published in: BMC veterinary research 2024-10, Vol.20 (1), p.474-10, Article 474
• Main Authors: Mahmoud, Amr Saber, Sayed, Alaa El Din H, Mahmoud, Usama T, Mohammed, Ahmed A A, Darwish, Madeha H A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - blood; Acetylcholinesterase - metabolism; Aggression - drug effects; Aggressive behavior; Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Care and treatment; Catfishes; Diet - veterinary; Fish; Health aspects; Heat stress; Heat stress disorders; Heat tolerance (Biology); Heat-Shock Response - drug effects; Hot Temperature - adverse effects; Hydrocortisone - blood; Metal Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles; Oxidative stress; Stress, Physiological - drug effects; Testing; Zinc oxide; Zinc Oxide - administration & dosage; Zinc Oxide - pharmacology; Zinc oxide nanoparticles
• ISSN: 1746-6148; 1746-6148
• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04302-6

This study was designed to assess the role of nano-zinc oxide in mitigating the deleterious effects of heat stress in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) by evaluating parameters such as aggressive behavior (biting frequency and chasing duration), hematological indicators, and stress-related biochemical markers. A total of 96 catfish were divided into four distinct groups (24 fish/group): The first group (CON) served as the control group, receiving a diet free of nano-zinc oxide. The second group (HS) was exposed to heat stress at 35 °C ± 1 °C. The third group (ZN) was fed a diet containing nano-zinc oxide at 30 mg/kg of the diet, and the fourth group (ZHN) was exposed to heat stress (35 °C ± 1 °C) and fed a diet containing nano-zinc oxide at 30 mg/kg of the diet. The results clarified that the aggressive behavior and cortisol levels were significantly higher (P