Dietary Quercus infectoria Mitigates Lead Nitrate Toxicity in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio): Impacts on Growth Performance, Condition Factors, Weight Length Relationship, Hematological Responses, and Detoxification Potential During 60-Day Exposure

This study investigated the effects of dietary Quercus infectoria seeds (QIS) supplementation on lead nitrate Pb(NO3)2 toxicity in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during a 60-day experiment. Four experimental groups were established: T0 (control, basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 5 mg/L Pb(NO3)2), T2 (basal diet + 10g/ kg QIS), and T3 (basal diet + 10g/ kg QIS + 5mg/ L Pb(NO3)2). Growth performance, hematological parameters, and somatic indices were evaluated. Results showed that T2 exhibited a significantly highest final weight (257.4 ± 12.7g, P < 0.001) and daily weight gain (1.8 ± 0.28g/ day, P < 0.05), while T1 had the lowest final weight (171.1 ± 4.7g, P< 0.05) and daily weight gain (0.33 ± 0.26g/ day, P< 0.05). Hematological analysis revealed that T1 had elevated white blood cell counts (12.8 ± 1.15 × 10³/mm³, P < 0.05) and reduced red blood cell counts (9.6 ± 1.20 × 10⁶/mm³, P< 0.05) compared to T0. QIS supplementation in T3 partially mitigated Pb-induced toxicity, as evidenced by intermediate growth and hematological values. These findings suggest that QIS enhances growth performance and alleviates Pb toxicity in common carp, highlighting its potential as a natural detoxifying agent in aquaculture.