This study evaluated the comparative efficacy of synbiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics in enhancing the growth performance, intestinal health, hepatic regeneration, and immune response of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis). Over a 45-day experimental period, fingerlings were fed diets supplemented with antibiotics (Erisen-Vet or Renamycin), probiotics (Everfresh-Pro), prebiotics (onion powder), or a synbiotic combination (Everfresh-Pro + onion powder). The results demonstrated that the T Syn group consistently outperformed all other treatments. Quantitatively, the synbiotic group achieved the highest final weight (15.75 ± 1.77 g) and weight gain (11.75 ± 1.25 g) compared to the control (T Con) (4.01 ± 0.44 g weight gain). The specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly higher in T Syn (3.05% day-1) than in antibiotic groups, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was optimized at 0.98 in T Syn versus 1.35 in T Con. Intestinal histomorphology showed marked improvements in the T Syn group, with villus length reaching 368.54 ± 21.52 µm and villus area at 85.93 ± 5.91 mm2, significantly exceeding both antibiotic and control values (p T Syn rose to 11.26 × 103/mm3 by day 45, compared to 8.45 × 103/mm3 in the control. Furthermore, mucosal immunity was bolstered in the synbiotic group, which exhibited the highest goblet cell count (84.00 ± 3.00) and widest lamina propria (7.04 ± 0.81 µm). In conclusion, synbiotics not only promote superior growth and feed efficiency but also significantly enhance gut health, hepatic regeneration, and immune profiles. These findings provide strong evidence that synbiotics are a superior, sustainable alternative to antibiotics for the intensive culture of stinging catfish.
Nayan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.