Assessment of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) seeds supplementation on Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) growth, general health, immunity, histopathology, and heat stress tolerance

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of feeding dietary garden cress seeds ( Lepidium sativum ) (GC) at doses of 10, 20, and 40 g/kg diet for 77 days to seabream ( Sparus aurata ) fingerlings (starting weight = 0.84 ± 0.04 g/fish). Hematological indicators, body composition, feed consumption, growth performance, liver biomarkers, and exposure to heat stress are the assessed parameters. The current findings indicated that seabream fingerlings growth and feed consumption might be enhanced by the dietary GC administration at the level of 40 g/kg diet. The findings showed that GC had a beneficial impact on the fish protein and fat content. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that GC considerably enhanced the hematological parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, and the number of white and red blood cells). Serum biomarkers’ values indicated an enhancement in the total protein, albumin, globulin, liver and kidney functions at 40 g/kg supplementation level. Furthermore, at this concentration, the glucose level was depressed meanwhile; the liver glycogen level was increased. Results showed that the use of GC at a level of 40 g/kg decreased the oxidative stress and improved the fish immunity depending on the values of SOD, MDA and lysozyme activities. Fish were subjected to a thermal stress at the end of the experiment at 4 and 32°C, and the results indicated that the fish treated with varying concentrations of GC, as a feed additives showed better resistance than the control group. The histo-pathological examination for three internal organs namely; liver, kidney, and intestine illustrated positive effects on the organs architecture when GC was supplemented in fish diets. • Garden cress (GC) at 40 g/kg supplementation level enhanced seabream growth performance. • GC had a beneficial impact on the fish biochemical composition. • GC considerably enhanced the hematological parameters. • Serum biomarkers values indicated an enhancement in fish health at 40 g/kg supplementation level. • Using of GC at a level of 40 g/kg diet decreased the oxidative stress and improved the fish immunity. • Fish treated with varying concentrations of GC exhibited an enhanced tolerance to heat stress. • Normal liver, kidney, and intestinal architecture was observed in fish fed diets supplemented with GC.