Comparative effects of Shirazi thyme and vitamin E on some growth and plasma biochemical changes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during cadmium exposure

Phytobiotics include a large number of active components which potentially have a growth‐promoting effects and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Shirazi thyme and vitamin E on growth and plasma biochemical parameters of common carp exposed to cadmium. Fish (34 ± 3 g) were divided into four groups and fed four distinct diets including commercial diet without any additive (for control and metal only group) and supplemented with either 1% ground Shirazi thyme or 100 mg kg^?1 vitamin E for 45 days. At the end of the feeding trial, all treatments except control group were exposed to sub‐lethal concentration of waterborne cadmium for 15 days and sampling was done on days 0, 7 and 15 after the metal exposure. According to the results, dietary inclusion of thyme prevented the harmful effects of cadmium and also improved fish growth and nutritional indices including weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and condition factor. Results also revealed that Shirazi thyme was more effective than vitamin E. Similarly, no changes in the hepatosomatic, viscerosomatic and bile somatic indices were observed. Plasma enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH) and metabolites were not altered due to thyme supplementation compared to the control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1% ground Shiraz thyme improved the growth and health status of fish and showed better hepatorenoprotective properties than vitamin E during waterborne cadmium exposure in common carp juveniles. It might be conceivable to consider Shirazi thyme as a potential phytobiotic for incorporation in fish diet.