Hybrid Sturgeon Research Articles

Use of a paraprobiotic and postbiotic feed supplement (HWF™) improves the growth performance, composition and function of gut microbiota in hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii x Acipenser schrenckii)

The contribution of cold water aquaculture for the world fish production is significant. Although sturgeon farming is an important part of China's cold water aquaculture industry, its production is less compared with the current potentiality of the country. There are many reasons for the lower production of cold water fish farming including feed and disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a paraprobiotic and postbiotic feed supplement (Herpes Worry Free or HWF™) on the growth, feeding efficiency and gut microbiota balance of hybrid sturgeon. Besides, the effect of sturgeon gut microbiota fed on the diet supplemented with HWF™ on the expression of growth promoter, and immune regulatory genes of germ free (GF) zebrafish was evaluated. Sturgeon were fed for three weeks with HWF™ supplemented or basal diet. At the end of the experiment gut content of sturgeon, fed on either experimental diet was transferred and colonized to GF zebrafish. Sturgeon fed with HWF™ supplemented diet showed significantly higher weight gain rate and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared with the control (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes, were significantly higher in the HWF™ group (P < 0.05), whereas Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chlamydiae were significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, at the genus level Clostridium (64.50 ± 5.99%) and Lactococcus (29.5 ± 3.05%) were the most dominant gut bacteria in the HWF™ group and the control group of sturgeon, respectively. The expression of genes related to growth, inflammation and non-specific immunity was significantly upregulated in GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota of HWF™ sturgeon group. In conclusion, HWF™ played significant role in growth, feed efficiency and modulation of gut microbiota of sturgeon. The gut microbiota of sturgeon fed on the diet supplemented with HWF™ upregulated the expression of genes related to growth, inflammation and non-specific immunity in GF zebrafish model.

Dietary SWF® enhanced growth performance and disease resistance in hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii x Acipenser schrenckii) mediated by the gut microbiota

The presence of healthy gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract of fish is important for the optimal function of gut, which plays a significant role in the host growth and health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary stress worry free (SWF®) on growth, feed utilization and disease resistance of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii x Acipenser schrenckii). Sturgeon were fed for three weeks with SWF® supplemented or basal diet. The weight gain and FCR of sturgeon fed on the diet supplemented with SWF® were significantly improved (P<0.05). SWF® supplemented diet provoked an increase in the resistance of sturgeon against A. veronii Hm091 (P=0.09). In terms of gut microbiota, the number of total bacteria, Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were increased significantly in the SWF® group (P<0.05), whereas significant reduction of Actinobacteria was observed in the gut of the SWF® group compared with the control group (P<0.01). Moreover, at the end of the experiment the gut microbiota of sturgeon, were colonized to germ-free (GF) zebrafish for three days. Results indicated that, the expression of growth promoter genes mTOR, MyoD and Myogenin was significantly higher in GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota of SWF® group of sturgeon. Furthermore, TGF-β was increased significantly in GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota from SWF® group (P<0.01), whereas the expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression of non-specific immune related genes DEFBL-1, C3a and Lysozyme was significantly increased in GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota of sturgeon fed on SWF® (P<0.05). Group of GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota of sturgeon fed on SWF® had significantly higher survival rate against A. veronii Hm091 (P<0.05). Our study suggests that, the gut microbiota induced by SWF® played a great role in growth and disease resistance of sturgeon using GF zebrafish model.

Complete genome sequence data of multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas sp. strain SXG-1

Objectives A multidrug-resistant bacterium, Stenotrophomonas sp. SXG-1, was isolated from the liver of diseased hybrid sturgeon from Guizhou province, China.Methods Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the Illumina HiSeq 2500-PE125 platform with MPS (massively parallel sequencing) Illumina technology. All good quality paired reads were assembled using the SOAPdenovo into a number of scaffolds. PHI (Pathogen Host Interactions), VFDB (Virulence Factors of Pathogenic Bacteria) and ARDB (Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database) were used to analyses pathogenicity and drug resistance.Results Here we reported the complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. SXG-1, which comprised 4534,602bp in 4077 coding sequences (CDS) with a G+C content of 66.42%. The genome contained 4 gene islands, 72 tRNAs and 13 rRNAs. According to the annotation analysis, strain SXG-1 encoded 22 genes related to the multidrug resistance. In addition to 10 genes conferring resistance to antimicrobial drugs of different classes via alternative mechanisms, 12 genes of efflux pumps were presented, 9 of which were reported for the first time in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.Conclusion This was the first complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. isolated from the sturgeon. The complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. strain SXG-1 may provide insights into the mechanism of antimicrobial resistance and prevent disease.

5. Fertility and sterility in hybrid sturgeons

5. Fertility and sterility in hybrid sturgeons

Growth of Hybrid Sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii♀×A. baeri♂ during Early Development

Growth of Hybrid Sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii♀×A. baeri♂ during Early Development

Gut microbiota induced by dietary GWF® contributes to growth promotion, immune regulation and disease resistance in hybrid sturgeon (Acipenserbaerii x Acipenserschrenckii): Insights from a germ-free zebrafish model

Gut microbiota of aquatic animals have a crucial impact on several host physiological processes and some of commensal bacteria may have the potential to be used as probiotics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenserbaerii x Acipenserschrenckii) gut microbiota induced by growth worry free (GWF®) on the growth, immune regulation and disease resistance in sturgeon using a germ free (GF) zebrafish model. Sturgeons were fed for three weeks with GWF® supplemented or basal diet. At the end of the experiment gut microbiota of sturgeon, fed on either experimental diet were transferred to GF zebrafish for three days. Then the expression of growth promotion, inflammation and non-specific immune related genes were assessed. Moreover, zebrafish colonized with either the experimental microbiota were challenged with Aeromonas veronii Hm091 for two days. Results indicated that the expression of growth promotion related genes (mTOR, MYoD, Myogenin) and non-specific immune related genes (DEFBL-1, lysozyme, C3a, and anti-inflammatory gene TGF-β), was significantly up-regulated in GF zebrafish colonized with microbiota from GWF® sturgeon (P < .05), whereas the expression of pro-inflammatory gene IL-1β was significantly decreased (P < .05). Moreover, group of GF zebrafish colonized with microbiota from GWF® sturgeon had significantly higher survival rate against A. veronii Hm091 (P < .05). Our study suggests that, the gut microbiota of sturgeon induced by GWF® played a great role in growth, immune system improvement and disease resistance in sturgeon using a germ free zebrafish model.

Dietary myo‐inositol requirements of juvenile hybrid sturgeon ( Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂ )

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dietary myo-inositol (MI) requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂). Fish with an initial average body weight of 28.28 ± 0.41 g were randomly divided into six groups with three repetitions in each group and fed the experimental diets with different graded MI concentrations (70.2, 130.0, 270.2, 443.0, 1,096.6 and 1997.3 mg/kg) three times per day for 12 weeks. The results showed that with the increase in dietary MI level from 70.2 mg/kg to 443.0 mg/kg, weight gain (WG) was increased significantly (p < .05); however, when the MI level was further increased, there was no significant difference in weight gain rate (WG) over time (p > .05). Specific growth rate (SGR) showed a similar trend. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (SR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerasomatic index (VSI) and condition factor (CF) were not affected by dietary MI supplementation (p > .05). Dietary MI did not affect whole-body and muscle crude protein and ash content (p > .05), while dietary MI significantly affected the muscle and whole-body crude lipid and moisture content (p < .05). Moreover, serum triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were decreased by increasing dietary MI levels. Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the liver were also affected by the dietary MI (p < .05). In summary, this study indicated that the optimal dietary MI requirement for juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂) was 335.84 mg/kg and 590.65 mg/kg based on the maximum WG and liver MI accumulation indices respectively.

The effects of different fishmeal level diets with or without phytase supplementation on growth performance, body composition, digestibility, immunological and biochemical parameters of juvenile hybrid sturgeon ( Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂)

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of low fishmeal and phytase replacing inorganic phosphorus on juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂). Four experimental diets were designed as FM100p, FM100, FM250p and FM250, which represented 10% and 25% fishmeal with or without phytase, respectively. The results showed that although growth parameters had no significant difference in all treatments, low fishmeal obviously decreased the culture cost of hybrid sturgeon. Lipid content of body composition was obviously increased in low fishmeal treatments (p < .05). The interaction of low fishmeal and phytase significantly enhanced apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (p < .05). Two‐way ANOVA analysis showed that input and output of phosphorus were significantly affected by fishmeal level, phytase and interaction of both factors (p < .05). For the immunological and hepatic function parameters, fishmeal level and phytase had significant effects on the activities of lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase (p < .05). The present study potentially justifies that a diet containing 10% fishmeal can be used for hybrid sturgeon. Moreover, replacement of monocalcium phosphate by phytase not only has no adverse effect on the growth of hybrid sturgeon, but also reduces phosphorus emission and protects aquaculture environment.

Morphological Identification Overestimates the Number of Pallid Sturgeon in the Lower Mississippi River due to Extensive Introgressive Hybridization

AbstractPallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus and Shovelnose Sturgeon S. platorynchus are congeners occupying overlapping habitats within the Missouri and Mississippi River basins. The Pallid Sturgeon is listed as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the United States, whereas the Shovelnose Sturgeon is not. Observational data across the range of both species include specimens that appear to be phenotypically and genotypically intermediate between Pallid Sturgeon and Shovelnose Sturgeon, though these occurrences are most frequent in the Mississippi River. Based on both morphological and genetic data, the variability and overlap within Scaphirhynchus spp. phenotypes has resulted in debate about the accuracy of existing identification methods of Pallid Sturgeon within the Mississippi River portion of its range (i.e., distinguishing Pallid, Shovelnose, and hybrid sturgeons). As a result, increasing questions have surfaced relative to species identification, implications of purported hybridization, the accuracy of local demographic estimations, and how those effect management actions. This project is the first comprehensive analysis to compare genotypic, phenotypic, and field identification data in order to evaluate the accuracy of existing field identification of the two congener Scaphirhynchus spp. and their purported hybrids in the lower Mississippi River. Our results indicate current field identification methods are not reliable for identifying Pallid Sturgeon in the lower Mississippi River, likely due to introgressive hybridization between Pallid and Shovelnose sturgeons and the resulting continuum of morphotypes and genotypes in hybridized individuals. We conclude that reliance on current morphological‐based field identification methods to quantify Pallid Sturgeon may lead to inaccurate assessments that could negatively impact the conservation and management of this endangered species, including the use of hybrid broodstock for conservation stocking and erroneous estimates of stock and recruitment.

Isolation and Characterization of Acid-soluble Collagen and Pepsin-soluble Collagen from the Skin of Hybrid Sturgeon

By using the wastes fish skin of sturgeon processed as a raw material, a macromolecule biomaterial of collagen was extracted. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) were successfully isolated from the skin of hybrid sturgeon with two extraction methods. The yields of ASC and PSC based on the wet weight of skin were 5.73 ± 0.11% and 10.26 ± 0.39%, respectively. The denaturation and melting points of ASC (26.83 °C and 110.49 °C) and PSC (26.54 °C and 102.99 °C) were assessed by Circular dichroism (CD) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). ASC and PSC appeared to be dense sheet-like film linked by random-coiled filaments under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that both the ASC and PSC were Type I collagen and maintained a complete triple helix structure. These results indicated that both ASC and PSC possessed good biological activity and could be widely used in medical biomaterials and other fields.

Cloning in sturgeon hybrids (Acipenseridae): experimental reproduction of the first stages of reticular speciation in fish and the method of obtaining all-female offspring

Cloning in sturgeon hybrids (Acipenseridae): experimental reproduction of the first stages of reticular speciation in fish and the method of obtaining all-female offspring

Transcriptome analysis of Aeromonas hydrophila infected hybrid sturgeon (Huso dauricus\xd7Acipenser schrenckii)

The hybrid sturgeon (Huso dauricus × Acipenser schrenckii) is an economically important species in China. With the increasing aquaculture of hybrid sturgeon, the bacterial diseases are a great concern of the industry. In this study, de novo sequencing was used to compare the difference in transcriptome in spleen of the infected and mock infected sturgeon with Aeromonas hydrophila. Among 187,244 unigenes obtained, 87,887 unigenes were annotated and 1,147 unigenes were associated with immune responses genes. Comparative expression analysis indicated that 2,723 differently expressed genes between the infected and mock-infected group were identified, including 1,420 up-regulated and 1,303 down-regulated genes. 283 differently expressed anti-bacterial immune related genes were scrutinized, including 168 up-regulated and 115 down-regulated genes. Ten of the differently expressed genes were further validated by qRT-PCR. In this study, toll like receptors (TLRs) pathway, NF-kappa B pathway, class A scavenger receptor pathway, phagocytosis pathway, mannose receptor pathway and complement pathway were shown to be up-regulated in Aeromonas hydrophila infected hybrid sturgeon. Additionally, 65,040 potential SSRs and 2,133,505 candidate SNPs were identified from the hybrid sturgeon spleen transcriptome. This study could provide an insight of host immune genes associated with bacterial infection in hybrid sturgeon.

Gene expression involved in the sexual development of Best Beluga hybrid sturgeons.

The scope of this study is to investigate the expression of dmrt1, foxl2, ar, star and sox9 genes in the context of the gonad development stage of 21 month-old Best Beluga individuals. No significant difference was observed between males and females but the cyp17a1 gene showed higher expression in male than in female gonads. The results suggest that during sampling the females were in perinucleolar stage and the males in early spermatogenesis stage which led to specific patterns of expression for the investigated genes.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Yarrowia lipolytica lipase 2 on immunology and growth performance of Hybrid sturgeon

A 12-weeks feeding trial was performed to investigate the possible effects of supplementation of Hybrid sturgeon diet with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (GB-9) and Yarrowia lipolytica lipase2 (YLL2) single or combined on immune response and growth performance of Hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenkii ♂and Acipenser baeri ♀). For this aim, Hybrid sturgeons were fed with four experimental diets namely: Diet 1 (0-control), Diet 2 (5.0 g/kg GB-9), Diet 3 (4.0 g/kg YLL2), and Diet 4 (5.0 g/kg GB-9 + 4.0 g/kg YLL2), respectively. After fed with varied diets, growth performance, mucosal immune response, leukocytes immune response and serum immunological response were measured. The results indicated that supplementations of GB-9 + YLL2 resulted in a significant increase in final weight, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) concentration, compared with that of control (p < 0.05). For innate immunity, the results showed that skin mucus lysozyme activity, leukocytes phagocytosis activity and reactive oxygen species level, and serum alternative complement pathway activity, peroxidase and lysozyme activity were significantly higher in supplemented groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). The highest values were recorded in fish fed both YLL2 and GB-9 with respect to the individual application. The present results suggested that the combination of these supplementation could be considered as potential feed-additives for aquaculture farmed fish.

The genome sequence of a new strain of Mycobacterium ulcerans ecovar Liflandii, emerging as a sturgeon pathogen

Mycobacterium ulcerans ecovar Liflandii (MuLiflandii) is emerging as a non-mycobacterial pathogen in amphibians. Here, we make the first report on the prevalence of a new strain of MuLiflandii infection in Chinese sturgeon. All the diseased fish showed the classic clinical symptoms of ascites and/or muscle ulceration. A new slow-growing and acid-fast bacillus ASM001 strain was obtained from the ascites of infected fish; this strain demonstrated pathogenicity when tested in hybrid sturgeon. The complete genome sequence of MuLiflandii ASM001 is a circular chromosome of 6,167,296 bp, with a G + C content of 65.57%, containing 4518 predicted coding DNA sequences and 999 pseudo-genes, 3 rRNA operons, and 47 transfer RNA sequences. In addition, we found 245 copies of IS2404, 34 microsatellites, and 36 CRISPR sequences in the whole MuLiflandii ASM001 genome. Among the predicted genes of MuLiflandii ASM001, we found orthologs of 203 virulence factors of clinical MuLiflandii 128FXT operating in host cell invasion, modulation of phagocyte function, and survival inside the macrophages. These virulence factor candidates provide a key basis for understanding their pathogenic mechanisms at the molecular level. A comparative analysis that used complete, existing genomes showed that MuLiflandii ASM001 has high synteny with MuLiflandii 128FXT. We anticipate the availability of the complete MuLiflandii ASM001 genome sequence will provide a valuable resource for comparative genomic studies of MuLiflandii isolates, as well as provide new insights into the host, ecological, and functional diversity of the genus Mycobacterium.

Effects of dietary raffinose on growth, non-specific immunity, intestinal morphology and microbiome of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂)

This study was performed to determine the efficacy of raffinose on the growth, non-specific immunity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of juvenile hybrid sturgeon, (Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂). Hybrid sturgeons were divided into 2 groups and each group was fed with diets supplemented with or without raffinose for 56 days. Hybrid sturgeon fed diet supplemented with raffinose had significantly higher final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR), and weight gain ratio (WGR) than fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Raffinose in diet had no negative effect on feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P > 0.05). Compared with the control diet, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and respiratory burst (NBT) activitives were significantly higher in sturgeon fed the raffinose supplemented diet (P < 0.05). The increasing of intestinal villi area and mucosal folds were observed in intestinal tract of sturgeon when they fed the raffinose supplemented diet. Meanwhile, the residual bait of intestinal tract was relatively lower in sturgeon with raffinose treatment. High-throughput sequencing revealed that majority of reads derived from the sturgeon digesta were constituted by members of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria and Actinobacteria. Shannon's diversity index existed significant difference among dietary treatments indicating that the overall microbial community was modified to a large extent by dietary raffinose. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet with raffinose is capable of improving hybrid sturgeon growth performances and intestinal morphology, modifying the intestinal microbial composition.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid of Acipenser dabryanus (♀) × A. schrenckii (♂) and its phylogeny

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the hybrid of Acipenser dabryanus (♀) × A. schrenckii (♂) was first determined by using the next-generation sequencing in this study. The circular mitochondrial genome was 16,439 bp in length, which contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, one displacement loop locus and an origin of replication on the light-strand, showed a typical vertebrate pattern. All of the genes were encoded on the heavy strain except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes. The overall nucleotide composition was 30.19% A, 23.74% T, 29.65% C, 16.42% G, with 53.93% AT, respectively. Compared with the complete mitogenome of the parents, the results indicated that the mitochondria of hybrid sturgeon could be consistent with a maternal inheritance. Phylogenetic analyses using concatenated nucleotide sequences of the 13 protein-coding genes with two different methods (maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining analysis) both highly supported that A. dabryanus (♀) × A. schrenckii (♂) showed a close relationship with A. dabryanus and A. sinensis. These data provide useful information for a better understanding of the mitogenomic diversities and evolution in fish as well as novel genetic markers for studying population genetics and species identification.

Development and evaluation of polyclonal antisera for detection of the IgM heavy chain of multiple fish species

Antibodies are widely considered to be essential tools for detection of immune responses in various fish species. Here we produced the peptide polyclonal antisera (anti-fish IgH-1 and anti-fish IgH-2) to detect IgM of various fish species. The peptides were designed based on the conserved sequence of the fish immunoglobulin heavy chains of seven fish species (Japanese flounder, seabream, yellowtail, carp, rainbow trout, hybrid sturgeon and banded houndshark). By Western blotting, anti-fish IgH-1 antiserum detected the IgMs of all fish species except banded houndshark. Anti-fish IgH-2 antiserum clearly reacted with the IgMs of only three of the fish species (seabream, yellowtail and rainbow trout). Attempts to use the antisera to measure fish antibody titer by ELISA were unsuccessful. These results demonstrate that anti-fish IgH-1 peptide polyclonal antiserum is a potentially applicable tool for detecting immunoglobulins in various fish species by Western blotting.

Dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii♀ × Acipenser baerii♂)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of dietary arginine ranging from 1.74% to 3.54% (dry weight). The results indicated that the fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.24% arginine diets (p < .05), and the fish fed the 2.64% arginine diet presented the highest SGR. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower whole-body crude protein content than the fish fed the 2.64% or 2.93% arginine diets (p < .05). Compared with the 1.76% arginine diet, 2.36% to 2.93% arginine diets significantly increased the total amino acid (TAA) concentration and total nonessential amino acid (TNEAA) of carcasses. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower activity of nitric oxide synthase (T-NOS) and content of nitric oxide (NO) than the fish fed the 2.05% to 2.93% arginine diets in the liver. The fish fed with 1.76%, 2.05% or 2.36% arginine diets had lower gene expression of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the liver than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.53% arginine diets in the liver (p < .05). A broken-line analysis between SGR against the dietary arginine levels provided estimates for the optimal dietary arginine requirement of 2.47% corresponding to 6.18% of the dietary protein on a dry weight basis.

A non-invasive method based on low-field NMR to analyze the quality changes in caviar from hybrid sturgeon (Huso dauricus, Acipenser schrenckiid )

A noninvasive LF-NMR method was developed to monitor proton dynamics on caviar stored at −4°C for 11 months. T2 relaxation spectra revealed three peaks at 0.54–0.75, 20.61–30.78, and 147.24–307.37 ms, respectively, whereas T1 showed only one peak around 167.16–217.31 ms. The T21 and T22 components remained unchanged during the storage period, while T23 was irregularly changed. NMR analysis demonstrated the moisture migrated through the extracellular spaces as free water under the action of osmotic pressure gradient during the salting treatment. Moisture and fat contents in caviar remained unchanged during the overall storage time. There was a trend for increased TVB-N values over the 11 months storage. Color measurement was carried out to evaluate the quality change of the caviar. The NMR parameters clearly showed good correlation with moisture. Practical applications Caviar is one of the most expensive fishery products which not only contain protein, but also essential amino acids, trace elements, vitamins and high unsaturated fatty acids. The monitoring and analysis of the quality changes of caviar are essential during the period of caviar processing and storage. Herein, the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods were developed and tested to assess the proton changes of caviar during cryopreservation at −4°C for as long as 11 months. The use of LF-NMR and MRI technique is fast, noninvasive, inexpensive, and visualization results are expected. This approach developed in this study is quite general and can be applied to monitor the proton changes of caviar storage in a noninvasive and fast way.