The Probiotic Lactobacillus sakei Subsp. Sakei and Hawthorn Extract Supplements Improved Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes, Immunity, and Resistance to the Pesticide Acetamiprid in Common Carp ( Cyprinus carpio ).

This study evaluated the impacts of the probiotic, Lactobacillus sakei ( L. sakei ), and the extract of hawthorn, Crataegus elbursensis , on growth and immunity of the common carp exposed to acetamiprid. Fish (mean ± SE: 11.48 ± 0.1 g) feeding was done with formulated diets ( T 1 (control): no supplementation, T 2 : 1 × 10 6  CFU/g LS ( Lactobacillus sakei ), T3: 1 × 10 8  CFU/g LS, T 4 : 0.5% hawthorn extract (HWE), and T 5 : 1% HWE) for 60 days and then exposed to acetamiprid for 14 days. The growth performance improved in the fish fed LS at dietary level of 1 × 10 8  CFU/g, even after exposure to acetamiprid ( P < 0.05). Intestinal Lactobacillus sakei (CFU/g) load increased ( P < 0.05), following supplementation with the probiotic-enriched diet. The LS-treated fish had increases in the activity of digestive enzymes ( P < 0.05). Both LS and HWE stimulated antioxidant enzymes and immune system components in serum and mucus (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), protease, total Ig, and lysozyme) ( P < 0.05). However, the changes were different depending on the kind of the supplement. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in HWE-treated fish after acetamiprid exposure ( P < 0.05). Both LS and HWE reduced the liver metabolic enzymes (LDH, ALP, AST, ALT, and LDH) in serum both before and after exposure to the pesticide ( P < 0.05). However, each enzyme exhibited a different change trend depending on the type of the supplement. HWE showed a stress-ameliorating effect, as glucose and cortisol levels declined in the HWE-treated fish ( P < 0.05). This study indicated the immunomodulatory impacts of LS (1 × 10 8  CFU/g) and HWE (at dietary levels of 0.5-1%). The probiotic showed more performance compared to HWE. However, the HWE mitigated oxidative stress more efficiently than the probiotic.