Acipenser Oxyrinchus Research Articles

Approaching merchant ships elicit behavioral changes in Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) in the St. Lawrence River, Canada.

There are gaps in our understanding of sturgeon's response to anthropogenic sounds and the spatial scales at which they occur. We measured spatial displacement of Atlantic sturgeon in the St. Lawrence River at various distances of approaching merchant ships. This fish population is designated as "threatened," although anthropogenic noise is not currently considered a direct threat. For several years, Atlantic sturgeon migrations have been monitored by the Quebec government using acoustic transmitters and a network of telemetry receivers in the St. Lawrence River. We combined fish telemetry data with merchant ship positions to detect co-occurrences between Atlantic sturgeons that remained in the vicinity of the receivers and approaching ships. Numerical simulations reveal that the probability of masking of transmitters (69 kHz) by ship noise was infinitesimal and that the disappearance of the transmitter signal was related to fish movement. When the ships approached, a significant spatial displacement was detected with ships at distances between 0.5 and 5 km from the receivers. After emitter signal loss, over 61% of sturgeons took at least 30 min to be detected again or did not return at all in the vicinity of the receivers. Furthermore, the median time to redetection after a ship transit was longer than when no ship was approaching (31 vs. 18 min). Our results show that sturgeons alter their position due to approaching ships at greater trigger distances than previously documented, which are too far away to be attributed to visual cues alone. We also found that the long-distance propagation of low-frequency sounds from large ships through water should not be heard by Atlantic sturgeon at distances of 1 km and longer based on current knowledge of sturgeons hearing. These results suggest that behavioral responses in Atlantic sturgeons are modulated not only by visual cues but can also be triggered by underwater sounds at relatively long distances, although the precise mechanism is still unknown.

Juvenile Atlantic sturgeon survival and movement in proximity to an active cutterhead suction dredge.

The Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus has suffered population declines throughout its range. Many knowledge gaps exist regarding how to mitigate threats and better inform recovery efforts. This study examined survival of juveniles during their movements through river reaches undergoing channel maintenance dredging operations. During 2019 and 2020, 268 (30-71cm fork length) juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon were captured and released in proximity to an active cutterhead suction dredge at three sites within the James River, Virginia. Juveniles were captured, some presumed feeding, around 95-145m from the dredge in areas that could easily be avoided if the dredge created a stressful environment. No significant trends in catch-per-unit-effort were found when trawl catch was compared to a reference location or when monitoring gill net catch 100m down current of a dredge over a month-long period at one of the sites. Twenty-nine of the 229 gill net captures were implanted with acoustic tags and telemetry was used to track their movements throughout the river. Four telemetered juveniles tagged prior to this project were also detected moving within dredge operations. Cumulatively, tagged juveniles made at least 125 passes of the dredging operations with no evidence of mortality. All tagged juveniles still within the river were detected following the cessation of dredging. The results of this study support that age 1-2yr Atlantic Sturgeon show no avoidance behavior of areas 100m of an active cutterhead suction dredge and move past dredge operations with low-risk of mortality.

Archaeogenomic analysis of Chesapeake Atlantic sturgeon illustrates shaping of its populations in recovery from severe overexploitation.

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus ssp. oxyrinchus) has been a food resource in North America for millennia. However, industrial-scale fishing activities following the establishment of European colonies led to multiple collapses of sturgeon stocks, driving populations such as those in the Chesapeake area close to extinction. While recent conservation efforts have been successful in restoring census numbers, little is known regarding genomic consequences of the population bottleneck. Here, we characterize its effect on present-day population structuring and genomic diversity in James River populations. To establish a pre-collapse baseline, we collected genomic data from archaeological remains from Middle Woodland Maycock's Point (c. 200-900 CE), as well as Jamestown and Williamsburg colonial sites. Demographic analysis of recovered mitogenomes reveals a historical collapse in effective population size, also reflected in diminished present-day mitogenomic diversity and structure. We infer that James River fall- and spring-spawning populations likely took shape in recent years of population recovery, where genetic drift enhanced the degree of population structure. The mismatch of mitogenomic lineages to geographical-seasonal groupings implies that despite their homing instinct and differential adaptation manifested as season-specific behaviour, colonization of new rivers has been a key ecological strategy for Atlantic sturgeon over evolutionary timescales.

Spawning run estimates and phenology for an extremely small population of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Marshyhope Creek–Nanticoke River system, Chesapeake Bay

AbstractObjectiveOnce thought to be extirpated from the Chesapeake Bay, fall spawning runs of Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus have been rediscovered in the Marshyhope Creek (MC)–Nanticoke River (NR) system of Maryland, United States. High recapture rates in past telemetry surveys suggested a small population in the two connected tributaries. This study aims to generate estimates of abundance and understand within system connectivity for spawning runs in 2020 and 2021.MethodsData from mobile side‐scan sonar surveys and detections of acoustically tagged adults on stationary telemetry receivers were analyzed in an integrated model to estimate spawning season abundance and examine run timing and system connectivity for this population. An array of acoustic receivers was deployed throughout the MC–NR system to monitor the movement of tagged fish during the spawning run period from mid‐August to late October. Side‐scan sonar surveys were conducted weekly in September in an area of high spawner aggregation to generate count data on spawning run abundance.ResultIn 2020 and 2021, 32 (95% credible interval [CRI] = 23–47) and 70 (95% CRI = 49–105) Atlantic Sturgeon, respectively, used the MC–NR system. The lower estimate for 2020 coincided with an earlier end to the spawning run related to cooler September temperatures in that year.ConclusionIn both years, high spawning run connectivity between MC and the upper NR was observed. Overall, run estimates supported previous hypotheses that the MC–NR system supports a very small population and that both MC and the upper NR serve as important areas for spawning activity.

Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defence in Muscle Tissue of Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Mitchill after in vitro Treatment with Extracts from the Roots and Stems of Chelidonium majus L.

Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defence in Muscle Tissue of Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Mitchill after in vitro Treatment with Extracts from the Roots and Stems of Chelidonium majus L.

The possibilities of using of captive and domestic broodstocks for saving of natural populations: 1. Acipenseriformes (part 1)

In last years the stocks of Russian species of sturgeons decreased to critical level which can be followed by their complete extinction in nature. As a result, the number of sturgeons beginning spawning migration into rivers are extremely small, but Astrakhan sturgeon hatcheries continue release annually about 35 mln fry using own broodstocks of two types — captive and domestic ones. However the releases of offspring of domestic broodstock are extremely discussible. On one hand, creation of such broodstocks could avoid the complete extinction of natural populations of Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccari in Po River and European sturgeon A. sturio in Gironde estuary. On other hand, long-term practice of commercial fish farming had shown that even the accidental refugees from sea cages or fresh-water ponds caused great harm to natural populations of same species. Hatchery individuals were undergoing different selection than fish in wild nature and had poorly formed reflexes (searching for food and avoiding predators). Besides a progressive decrease in genetic diversity with each generation could be seen in such fry due to limited number of parents (the Ryman-Laikre effect). However the creation of captive and domestic broodstocks of endangerous species and subspecies (Azov beluga Huso huso maeotica, fringebarbel sturgeon Acipenser nudiventris, Sakhalin sturgeon Acipenser mikadoi) and extinct populations (Baltic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus) remains the only way to release hatchery juveniles. The first part of presented review is devoted to creation and using of captive and domestic broodstocks for conservation-type sturgeon fry releases in Russia and other countries.

The possibilities of using of captive and domestic broodstocks for saving of natural populations: 1. Acipenseriformes (part 2)

In last years the stocks of Russian species of sturgeons decreased to critical level which can be followed by their complete extinction in nature. As a result, the number of sturgeons beginning spawning migration into rivers are extremely small, but Astrakhan sturgeon hatcheries continue release annually about 35 mln fry using own broodstocks of two types — captive and domestic ones. However the releases of offspring of domestic broodstock are extremely discussible. On one hand, creation of such broodstocks could avoid the complete extinction of natural populations of Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccari in Po River and European sturgeon A.sturio in Gironde estuary. On other hand, long-term practice of commercial fish farming had shown that even the accidental refugees from sea cages or fresh-water ponds caused great harm to natural populations of same species. Hatchery individuals were undergoing different selection than fish in wild nature and had poorly formed reflexes (searching for food and avoiding predators). Besides a progressive decrease in genetic diversity with each generation could be seen in such fry due to limited number of parents (the Ryman-Laikre effect). However the creation of captive and domestic broodstocks of endangerous species and subspecies (Azov beluga Huso huso maeotica, fringebarbel sturgeon Acipenser nudiventris, Sakhalin sturgeon Acipenser mikadoi) and extinct populations (Baltic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus) remains the only way to release hatchery juveniles. The first part of presented review is devoted to creation and using of captive and domestic broodstocks for conservation-type sturgeon fry releases in Russia and other countries.

Pre‐impoundment fish migrations in the Mobile Basin, Alabama

AbstractAssessing the status of several migratory fishes in the Mobile River Basin, Alabama, has been complicated due to a general lack of historical data on their life history, habitat requirements, and distributions. Whether distributions were restricted by natural or man‐made barriers to migration is difficult to answer because few scientific collections were made before dams were built, and the earliest dams were built at the largest biogeographic barrier in the basin: the geological fall line. Therefore, we used what information was available, including anecdotal information, primarily records from archived newspapers and government reports, to describe the ranges of six migratory species prior to the construction of dams in the Mobile Basin. We describe the complicated history of Alabama Shad Alosa alabamae and show that range declines may have been masked by the stocking of American Shad Alosa sapidissima in the late 19th century. We show that Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi probably migrated well above the fall line in the Coosa River, and may have been sympatric with Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. We found no records of Alabama Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus suttkusi above the fall line. American Eel Anguilla rostrata migrated above the fall line in every Mobile Basin river before dams were built. Finally, Paddlefish Polyodon spathula may have once occurred above the fall line in at least two rivers, but they persist today in impounded reaches in the coastal plain, unlike some other species. We hope that future work will continue to consider archival sources of information to re‐trace the histories of imperilled species.

Evaluation of the effects of glucose concentration in extender and sperm concentration in straw for cryopreservation of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) semen

The Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) faces unique conservation challenges due to its extended maturation period and irregular spawning patterns, which restrict its reproductive capacity. Therefore, in order to overcome these difficulties we have made a first attempt to develop effective cryopreservation procedure for Atlantic sturgeon through evaluation of the effects of the glucose concentration in extender and final sperm concentration in straw on sperm motility parameters. A remarkably high (81 ± 8%) postthaw sperm motility was obtained. The other sperm velocity and trajectory parameters were differentially affected both by concentrations of glucose or sperm and cryopreservation process. Our results undoubtedly show that the post-thaw sperm motility of Atlantic sturgeon is highly influenced by the final glucose and sperm concentration. The recommended cryopreservation procedure includes 0.05 M glucose and 7.5% methanol at 1.0×109 spermatozoa ml−1. We have confirmed that our elaborated protocol can be used for cryopreservation of Atlantic sturgeon semen which can be subsequently used for long-term conservation of this endangered species, offering a valuable tool in efforts to safeguard its genetic diversity and contribute to its survival.

A genetic approach to assessing the biodiversity of Atlantic sturgeons <I>Acipenser oxyrinchus</I> and <I>A. sturio</I> (review of modern literature)

The purpose of the review is to summarize modern data on the phylogenetic relationships of two sturgeon species, the North American Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus and the European Atlantic sturgeon A. sturio, living in the Baltic Sea, due to the complete loss of A. sturio and the presence of a small number of individuals of A. oxyrinchus. Methods used: comparative analysis of modern literature data, a deconstruction method in which studies reflecting the molecular genetic characteristics of species have been carefully selected.The result of the review is structured data on molecular genetic studies of two sturgeon species. Combining research methods conducted with these species in one review.Significance: The results of the generalization are necessary for organizing measures to restore the lost population of sturgeon that lived in the water bodies of the Baltic Sea basin and was lost due to overfishing and changes in the habitat. A systematic approach to the molecular genetic labeling of fish both in the wild and in fish farms will ensure the control of the released juveniles, which will facilitate further research in this field of science.

Seasonal migration cues differ for dual‐spawning Atlantic Sturgeon in the Great Pee Dee River

AbstractObjectiveWe investigated environmental variables associated with spawning migration behavior for a dual‐spawning population of endangered Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus in the Great Pee Dee River, South Carolina.MethodsFrom 2016 to 2021, 147 Atlantic Sturgeon were captured, implanted with acoustic transmitters, and monitored using a stationary array of 40 receivers located every 5–20 km along a 302‐km section of the Great Pee Dee River from the river mouth at Winyah Bay to the first movement barrier at Blewett Falls Dam, North Carolina.ResultWe observed 47 Atlantic Sturgeon attempting 74 spring migrations and 39 Atlantic Sturgeon attempting 76 fall migrations across 4 years of telemetry observations (2018–2021). Mixed‐effects models indicated that discharge interacted with water temperature to affect both migration initiation and upriver movement, and these interactions differed between the spring and fall runs. Spring runs were cued by rising temperatures and high river discharge, whereas fall runs were cued by falling temperatures and low discharge. Within migrations, spring‐run fish migrated further upriver when discharge was falling, and fall‐run fish moved further upriver when discharge was rising. Overall, fall‐run sturgeon migrated significantly further upriver than spring‐run sturgeon.ConclusionDifferences in migratory behavior between the two runs suggest potentially unique adaptations to ambient river conditions during the respective spawning seasons. Identifying the environmental factors that drive—and thereby limit—Atlantic Sturgeon migrations in the Great Pee Dee River informs regional recovery efforts and highlights the importance of studying and managing this species at the population level.

Recruitment of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) in the Savannah, Ogeechee, and Satilla Rivers in Georgia

Recruitment of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) in the Savannah, Ogeechee, and Satilla Rivers in Georgia

Recruitment of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) in the Savannah, Ogeechee, and Satilla Rivers in Georgia: Supplementary table

Recruitment of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) in the Savannah, Ogeechee, and Satilla Rivers in Georgia: Supplementary table

Evaluating population trends of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon at low abundance in a dynamic estuarine environment (Hudson River, New York)

AbstractEvaluating population trends in dynamic estuarine environments can be challenging, especially when survey data include a high percentage of zero observations. In fishery‐independent surveys, zeros that come from reduced susceptibility to sample gears and reduced availability of the population to the survey impact survey catchability and negatively bias relative abundance indices. A zero‐inflated negative binomial model was used to standardize a juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) relative abundance index (Hudson River, New York) that included a high proportion (42%) of zero observations and intra‐ and interannually variable covariates. Reduced susceptibility was related to low water temperature, with the percentage of zeroes increasing rapidly below 7°C. Availability was influenced by temperature and distance to salt front, as catch rates increased with temperature and peaked in mesohaline waters ~27 km downstream of the predicted salt front. An alternative index suggested significant population growth (r = 0.15; p‐value = 0.007) occurred from 2004 to 2015. The zero‐inflated model helped better understand Hudson River juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon ecology and relative trends in abundance, to better inform future management and monitoring decisions along the Atlantic Coast.

The history of the Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill, 1815, in the Warta River of Central and Western Poland in the nineteenth century based on Polish sources

Abstract An analysis of Polish historical sources indicates that there are no references to sturgeon in the Warta River basin before 1810. It is hypothesized that there was no autochthonic sturgeon population in this river in historic times. The occasional occurrence of fish in the Warta River stemmed from their straying from the Oder River, especially during high waters. The situation changed in the second half of the nineteenth century because increasing pollution in the Oder River meant increasing numbers of fish entered the Warta River. Peak catches by fishers in Poznań were in the 1880s and early 1890s, after which the population collapsed and never recovered. Overfishing in this period stemmed primarily from the effects of regulating the Warta River for navigation. The data presented herein might have implications for the current sturgeon reintroduction program being conducted in the Warta River basin.

Hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis signaling in Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

In vertebrates, the hypothalamic–pituitaryadrenal/interrenal (HPA/HPI) axis is a highly conserved endocrine axis that regulates glucocorticoid production via signaling by corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Once activated by ACTH, Gs protein-coupled melanocortin 2 receptors (Mc2r) present in corticosteroidogenic cells stimulate expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star), which initiates steroid biosynthesis. In the present study, we examined the tissue distribution of genes involved in HPI axis signaling and steroidogenesis in the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and provided the first functional characterization of Mc2r in sturgeon. Mc2r of A. oxyrinchus and the sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) are co-dependent on interaction with the melanocortin receptor accessory protein 1 (Mrap1) and highly selective for human (h) ACTH over other melanocortin ligands. A. oxyrinchus expresses key genes involved in HPI axis signaling in a tissue-specific manner that is indicative of the presence of a complete HPI axis in sturgeon. Importantly, we co-localized mc2r, mrap1, and star mRNA expression to the head kidney, indicating that this is possibly a site of ACTH-mediated corticosteroidogenesis in sturgeon. Our results are discussed in the context of other studies on the HPI axis of basal bony vertebrates, which, when taken together, demonstrate a need to better resolve the evolution of HPI axis signaling in vertebrates.

Two Distinct Life History Strategies of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Ogeechee River, Georgia

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is an anadromous, widely distributed, highly migratory sturgeon subspecies that occurs in rivers and marine waters along the North American Atlantic Coast. This fish has shown widespread declines and has been afforded conservation protections, including some based in the U.S. on the delineation of Distinct Population Segments (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act. The management of Atlantic sturgeon will benefit from the knowledge of its population structure as well as the ability to uniquely identify individuals (in relation to population origin) that are vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors at sites outside of their natal estuaries. We used microsatellite analysis to estimate the genetic population structure of Atlantic sturgeon from 13 spawning rivers ranging from the St. Lawrence River, Quebec to the Satilla River, Georgia. Individual Based Assignment (IBA) testing was used to estimate the contribution of each population to mixed-stock aggregations in coastal waters and in a non-natal estuary. An unexpected finding was the discovery of two distinct genetic clusters of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon in the Ogeechee River, Georgia, with specimens in the two clusters differing significantly in terms of mean total length. Additionally, three distinct genetic clusters were detected within the Satilla River juvenile collection, along with two clusters within the Edisto River sample. In F1ST and FST analyses, the extent of the pairwise genetic differentiation between the two genetic clusters in the Ogeechee River and the three in the Satilla River was greater than that between all other pairwise comparisons among rivers in the South Atlantic DPS. In contrast, we found no evidence of the genetic partitioning of juvenile sturgeon within the neighboring Savannah or Altamaha river populations. Using IBA, we found that the overall Ogeechee River population made a moderate contribution (8.3%) to the overall mixed-stock collections (n = 1512) from coastal North Carolina to the Bay of Fundy. Surprisingly, all of the Ogeechee River-assigned specimens (n = 125) in these mixed-stock aggregations were representatives of only one of the two Ogeechee River genetic clusters. These results suggest that the two Ogeechee River genetic clusters exhibit significantly different life history strategies, with one being resident and the second being highly migratory.

Effects of Hurricane Michael on Gulf Sturgeon in the Apalachicola River system, Florida

AbstractObjectiveGulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi populations have undergone substantial declines since the start of the 20th century due to overfishing and habitat loss. A predicted increase in the frequency of major hurricanes, driven by climate change, presents an additional but poorly characterized threat to Gulf Sturgeon populations. In October 2018, category 5 Hurricane Michael made landfall 40 km west of the Apalachicola River, causing a hypoxic event and an ensuing fish kill that included Gulf Sturgeon.MethodsWe used acoustic telemetry, mark–recapture, and side‐scan sonar data to examine migration behavior and estimate Gulf Sturgeon abundance, mortality, and annual recruitment in the system before and after the storm.ResultWithin 2 days of landfall, we observed an early and rapid emigration response among tagged adults residing in lower portions of the river system, coinciding with declining dissolved oxygen levels; migration behavior returned to normal by the subsequent spring. The hurricane caused an acute mass mortality event: mortality of Gulf Sturgeon in October 2018 was four to five times greater than that in previous years. Several other independent metrics also indicate a major decline in Gulf Sturgeon abundance after the hurricane. Juvenile recruitment to age 1 after the storm was >5 of the previous 6 years, indicating the hurricane did not cause a year‐class failure.ConclusionThese findings suggest that major hurricanes can impact the structure and abundance of Gulf Sturgeon populations, yet elements of resiliency, including survival (facilitated by early emigration and refugia) and enhanced recruitment, may aid in population recovery following such disturbances.

The sociality of Atlantic sturgeon and sand tiger sharks in an estuarine environment

Social network analyses are used by ecologists to examine the various drivers of animal social structures. While social behaviours are found throughout the animal kingdom, their roles in structuring marine communities are poorly understood. Comparisons of sociality across marine fishes in the same location and time are rare. A large acoustic telemetry network in Delaware Bay allowed us to analyse the sociality of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus , and sand tiger sharks, Carcharias taurus . Both species co-occur in the bay, are long-lived, make seasonal migrations and aggregate for unknown reasons. However, these species occupy distinctly different trophic positions and ecological niches. We found little evidence for sociality among Atlantic sturgeon. However, sand tigers exhibited evidence for preferential co-occurrence, modularity and assortment by maturity. In addition, we found that these species preferentially associate with conspecifics. Our findings suggest that sand tigers exhibit a higher degree of sociality than Atlantic sturgeon while in the Delaware Bay. From these findings, we outline the social structures of two evolutionary distinct species while they co-occur in the Delaware Bay. Additionally, we explored the influence that environmental acoustic conditions have on social network metrics and make recommendations for future analyses using acoustic telemetry in estuarine environments. • We analysed sociality of Atlantic sturgeon and sand tiger sharks in Delaware Bay. • Sand tigers exhibited preferential co-occurrence, modularity and maturity assortment. • Atlantic sturgeon exhibited little sign of sociality. • Sand tigers and Atlantic sturgeon preferentially assorted by species. • Environmental variables may influence network formation in short time windows.

Lipid Peroxidation and Total Antioxidant Capacity in the Muscle Tissue of Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Mitchill) after In Vitro Treatment by Extracts Derived from Various Species of Dracaena Genus (Asparagaceae Juss.)

Water extracts from selected Dracaena plants cultivated in greenhouse conditions were evaluated for antioxidant properties by in vitro methods using the muscle tissue of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Mitchill). The level of 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the muscle tissue of Atlantic sturgeon after treatment in vitro by extracts derived from leaves of selected Dracaena plants (in final concentration 10 mg.mL-1) were assessed. When muscle tissue was incubated with leaf extracts of various species belonging to the Dracaena genus, the TBARS level was significantly increased for the sixteen extracts studied. Moreover, all extracts (except D. singularis extract) increase the formation of TBARS in the extracts-treated muscle tissue, and these results were statistically significant. Treatment of muscle tissue by extracts derived from various species from the Dracaena genus revealed also increase the TAC level. When homogenates were incubated with leaf extracts derived from various species from the Dracaena genus, the TAC level was significantly increased for the fifteen extracts studied. Moreover, all extracts (except D. hyacinthoides and D. roxburghiana extracts) induced the TAC increase in the extracts-treated muscle tissue of Atlantic sturgeon, and these increases were statistically significant. It can be supposed that secondary plant metabolites, i.e. polyphenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, etc., in extracts derived from the leaves of various species belonging to the Dracaena genus, may contribute to their antioxidant activity. Further detailed studies on the effect of extracts derived from leaves of selected Dracaena plants on long time intervals, antioxidant, and molecular aspects are necessary to understand the mechanism of action of extracts in other fish and animals.