Abstract:
To investigate the effects of selenium-enriched
Enterococcus faecalis (EFSe) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and disease resistance in largemouth bass (
Micropterus salmoides).
E. faecalis MSEF22 was isolated from intestinal tract of healthy largemouth bass and enriched with sodium selenite to obtain EFSe. Three groups were designed: control (basal diet), EF (basal diet + 1×10
7 CFU/g
E. faecalis MSEF22), and EFSe (basal diet + 1×10
7 CFU/g EFSe, 0.76 mg Se/kg). After 42-day feeding, growth indices, hepatic antioxidant enzymes and intestinal microbiota were analyzed. Disease resistance was evaluated by 14-day challenge with
Nocardia seriolae. EFSe group showed significantly higher WGR, hepatic SOD activity and GSH content than control (
P<0.05), while serum AST activity decreased markedly. Compared with EF group, EFSe significantly increased gut microbial diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g.
Lactobacillus spp.). Post-challenge survival rate in EFSe group (52.22%) was higher than EF (50.00%) and control groups (43.33%), with reduced hepatic nodules and downregulated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines
IL-1
β (-76%) and TNF-α (-23%) (
P<0.05). Dietary supplementation with EFSe enhances growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and disease resistance in largemouth bass, demonstrating significant potential for eco-efficient and sustainable aquaculture.