Lead induced structural and functional damage and microbiota dysbiosis in the intestine of crucian carp ().

Lead (Pb) is a hazardous pollutant in water environments that can cause significant damage to aquatic animals and humans. In this study, crucian carp () were exposed to waterborne Pb for 96 h; then, histopathological analysis, quantitative qPCR analysis, and 16S high-throughput sequencing were performed to explore the effects of Pb on intestinal bioaccumulation, structural damage, oxidative stress, immune response, and microbiota imbalance of . After Pb exposure, the intestinal morphology was obviously damaged, including significantly increasing the thickness of the intestinal wall and the number of goblet cells and reducing the depth of intestinal crypts.

Lead exposure induces structural damage, digestive stress, immune response and microbiota dysbiosis in the intestine of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common trace metals in water, and its high concentration in the environment can cause harm to aquatic animals and humans. In the present study, the effects of Pb exposure (3.84 mg/kg) on the morphology, digestive enzyme activity, immune function and microbiota structure of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) intestines within 96 h were detected.