ANTI-HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECT OF MUSHROOM AND TUMERIC SUPPPLEMENTED DIET ON THE HAEMATOLOGICAL AND NEPHROLOGICAL INDICES OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS.

Hypercholesterolemia has been reported as one of the most dangerous for organisms including humans and aquatic species such as Clarias gariepinus, having high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with mushroom, turmeric, and a combination of both on the hematological and nephrological parameters of Clarias gariepinus. The materials and methods involved feeding different experimental groups with a standard diet, a mushroom-supplemented diet, a turmeric- supplemented diet, and a combination of mushroom and turmeric for a specified duration. Hematological analyses were conducted to assess parameters such as white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, and platelet counts, while biochemical analyses of the kidney were performed to evaluate creatinine and urea levels. The results showed that turmeric supplementation significantly increased WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels, indicating improved immune function and oxygen-carrying capacity. Mushroom supplementation also had a notable impact, particularly by increasing Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), which suggests larger red blood cells. However, when mushroom and turmeric were combined, the effects were mixed, with significant increases in platelet count but decreases in RBC, hemoglobin, and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Creatinine levels remained stable across all groups, suggesting that renal function was not compromised, but elevated urea levels in the combination group warrant further investigation. This study reveals the potential of mushrooms and turmeric as functional ingredients in aquaculture diets, capable of enhancing fish health and welfare. Further research is necessary to optimize the combination of these natural supplements to maximize their beneficial effects while minimizing any advers