Sodium butyrate improved intestinal function in normal and glyphosate-challenged Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus...

This study investigated the effects of dietary sodium butyrate supplementation on Nile tilapia, with emphasis on growth performance, biochemical alterations, histological characteristics, and gene expression patterns under both normal conditions and glyphosate exposure. A total of 90 Nile tilapia with an initial mean body weight of 7.93 ± 0.026 g were randomly allocated into two experimental groups, with each group comprising three replicate units. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the second group received 1.5 g/kg of sodium butyrate mixed into their food for 8 weeks. Afterward, each group was further divided into two: one without any challenge and the other exposed to 0.6 mg/L GLY. The findings indicated that fish fed with SB exhibited a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in final body weight (FBW), weight gain percentage (WG %), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and survival rate, along with a reduction in feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. Additionally, there was an enhancement in hepatic antioxidant capacity, along with a downregulation of hepatic ilgf1bp and myostatin. Fish subjected to GLY displayed the highest activities of ALT and AST, elevated levels of BUN and creatinine, and a decrease in lysozyme activity. Sodium butyrate supplementation mitigated glyphosate-induced hepatic and renal impairment and regulated the mRNA expression of intestinal tight junction-associated and apoptosis-related genes. These findings suggest that dietary sodium butyrate may be used as a promising alternative feed additive in sustainable Nile tilapia aquaculture. Its inclusion could help protect fish against glyphosate-associated stress, improve growth performance, enhance antioxidant and immune-related biochemical responses, and provide anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic benefits under both basal conditions and following glyphosate exposure.