In-feed oxolinic acid induces oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

The aquaculture industry urgently requires effective bacterial disease management strategies, necessitating better regulation of antibiotic application. This study investigated the effects of oral oxolinic acid (OA) administration on <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> at the recommended dose of 12 mg (1 ×) and overdose of 36 mg (3 ×)/kg biomass/day for 7 consecutive days in terms of growth, oxidative stress, residue accretion and histopathology relative to the control. The 1 × and 3 × groups experienced dose-dependent mortalities (3.33-8.33 %). The OA residues peaked in the liver and kidney tissues with dosing and declined upon discontinuation. The residues persisted in the kidney even on day 35 post-dosing. Elevated malondialdehyde and total nitric oxide levels signified oxidative stress and correlated with the tissue level changes in various organs. Histologically, glycogen-type vacuolation and cellular hypertrophy were observed in the liver. The kidney had hydropic swelling, renal epithelium degradation, nephrocalcinosis, vacuolation, and necrosis. Splenic alterations were confined to necrosis and a slight increase in sinusoidal space. Intestinal tissues exhibited a depletion of absorptive vacuoles, epithelial layer degradation, mucinous degeneration, and necrosis. Gills displayed epithelial hyperplasia, thickening of secondary lamellae, and erosion. Nevertheless, the cohort administered the recommended dose exhibited recovery with OA discontinuation. However, none of the assessed parameters normalized in the overdosed group even after 35 days of dose suspension. The results indicated that <i>O. niloticus</i> can safely adapt to and tolerate the toxic effects of OA. As the recommended dose of OA elicited reversible bioresponses effectively in tilapia, it can be utilized in aquaculture with due caution following regulations.