Mitigating Adverse Effects of Lead Acetate on Nile Tilapia Health through Pomegranate Pulp inclusion: Growth, Morphology, Flesh Quality, Antioxidant Responses, Gene Expression, and Apoptosis

Lead (Pb) contamination is a prevalent issue in aquatic environments and poses significant risks to fish and human's health. Fish are highly susceptible to lead accumulation, impeding their growth and overall well-being. One hundred twenty healthy Nile tilapia of similar sizes were split into four experimental groups: a control group, a group inclusion with pomegranate pulp, a group exposed to lead acetate, and a group exposed to both pomegranate pulp and lead acetate. The fish were fed their respective diets for six weeks, and various parameters were assessed. The findings revealed that lead acetate exposure significantly hindered fish growth and resulted in increased stress biomarkers, leading to liver damage and renal failure. Furthermore, lead acetate negatively affected immune parameters and caused elevated oxidative stress levels in the liver and kidneys. However, inclusion pomegranate pulp effectively alleviated these adverse effects by enhancing antioxidant and immune activities. Additionally, it influenced the genes expression associated with antioxidant activity, apoptosis, and detoxification in various organs of Nile tilapia. In conclusion, lead acetate had detrimental consequences on the performance of Nile tilapia, but dietary inclusion with pomegranate pulp proved to be an effective strategy for mitigating these effects. Pomegranate pulp enhances antioxidant defenses, boosts immune response, and improves overall health, thereby reducing the adverse impacts of lead exposure.