Potential of probiotics and vitamin c on metallothionein and hematological parameters in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) affected by cadmium exposure

Water pollution is a problem for the health of aquatic organisms. In this study, blood parameters of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which received probiotic and vitamin C were investigated after heavy metal cadmium (Cd) exposure in different concentration (0 ppm, 0.3 ppm, and 0.6 ppm). The study was prepared by incorporating probiotics from lactic acid bacteria (LAB), vitamin C, and a combination of probiotics and vitamin C. Thirty-six healthy adult fish were used in this study. The experiment was carried out for 15 days. At the end of experiment, metallothionein (Mt) levels and following blood parameters such as white blood cell (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were measured from fish blood. The result showed that probiotics, vitamin C, and a combination of them could decrease Mt levels and improve blood parameters significantly (p < 0.05). Overall, the combination of probiotics and vitamin C produced the best result for the parameters improvement. This result indicated positiveness for the health status of fish against toxic environment.