Individual and combined effects of dietary iron and copper nanoparticles and comparison with their inorganic forms on blood biochemical profile, antioxidant status and immune response of Schizothorax Zarudnyi Nikolskii, 1897

In this study, the effect of dietary supplementation with mineral and Nano forms of two essential elements, iron and copper was investigated on the blood biochemical profile, antioxidant, and immunity performance of Schizothorax Zarudnyi with an average weight of 23.97±0.45 g. The fish were fed with diets containing (1) no copper and iron supplement (basal diet), (2) 150 mg/kg of mineral iron supplement, (3) 3 mg/kg of mineral copper supplement, (4) 150 and 3 mg/kg of iron and mineral copper supplement respectively, (5) 150 mg/kg of iron nanoparticle supplement, (6) 3 mg/kg of copper nanoparticle supplement, and (7) 150 and 3 mg/kg of iron nanoparticles and copper nanoparticle supplement, respectively for 60 days. Dietary addition of iron and copper in both forms improved blood biochemical profile, antioxidant, and immunity performance compared to the control. The addition of Nano form led to significant improvement in blood parameters and antioxidant defense system compared to the mineral-fed treatments. The simultaneous use of the Nano form of these two elements led to a significant improvement in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, HDL, cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA, GPx, SOD, CAT, C3, ACH50, and serum bactericidal activity compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the simultaneous use of iron and copper at the rate of 150 and 3 mg/kg of diet in Nano form is much more effective than their mineral or individual Nano forms to improve the antioxidant and immune parameters of S. Zarudnyi.