Russian Sturgeon Research Articles

On the spread of the Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae) in the Neotropics: A marine path to invade freshwater drainages in South America?

Acipenser gueldenstaedtii is a species of sturgeon described from Caspian Sea and Black Sea and their tributaries, occurring in the Eastern Atlantic, Europe and Middle East. This and other two sturgeon species have been accidentally introduced in the Rio Negro, Uruguay, a tributary of the Rio de La Plata. Recently, it has been demonstrated the presence and establishment of A. gueldenstaedtii widespread in the Rio Paraná basin, the largest tributary of the Rio de La Plata, corresponding to the second largest river drainage in the Neotropics. We herein register the presence of the species in the next northern freshwater drainage in South America, representing the first record for Brazil. We further discuss the possibility of dispersal through marine environments to other freshwater drainages in South America through the analysis of its documented occurrence and marine ecoregions in southwestern Atlantic.

Effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acids on growth performance, lipid metabolism and antioxidant responses of juvenile Russian sturgeonAcipenser gueldenstaedtii

Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated with graded alpha‐linolenic acid (LNA) levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg) to investigate LNA requirement of juvenile Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed LNA5 and LNA10 were significantly higher than those in other groups, while the feed conversion ratio of these two groups was lower than others. Dietary LNA increased n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and n‐3/n‐6 ratio, but decreased saturated fatty acid contents in the liver. DHA in the fish tissue also increased with the increased dietary LNA. The superoxide dismutase activity was highest in fish fed LNA5. Fish fed LNA10 showed the highest catalase activity and the highest malondialdehyde content. A 459‐bp fragment of Δ6 fatty acid desaturase and a 474‐bp fragment of elongases of very long chain fatty acids 5 were cloned and analysed. The expressions of these two genes were higher in fish fed LNA15 and LNA20. The highest hepatic lipase activity occurred in fish fed LNA 20, and the malate dehydrogenase activity peaked in the LNA5 group. Based on SGR and FCR, the range of optimum dietary LNA concentration for juvenile Russian sturgeon is recommended at 6.85–10.69 g/kg.

Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt) in the Curonian Lagoon of the Baltic Sea

The paper presents the results of the observations of the mass appearance of specimens of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) in the Curonian Lagoon, released during an accident on a fish farm on the Grabova River in Poland. About 50 000 individuals of Siberian sturgeon and some Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) entered the Baltic Sea. In 36 days, the first Siberian sturgeon individual was caught in the Curonian Lagoon. From the end of October the catches of sturgeon became mass in the Curonian Lagoon. The last sturgeon was caught on November 23, 2017. The volunteers managed to trace 27 catches of Siberian sturgeon. The area near the mouth of the Neman River was where the majority of catches occurred. It is possible that Siberian sturgeon may appear in the Neman River.

Effects of Derinat on ischemia-reperfusion-induced pressure ulcer mouse model

Sodium salt of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), Derinat, isolated from the soft roes of Russian sturgeon, has been utilized as an immunomodulator for the treatment of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated diseases in clinics. Here we show that treatment with Derinat has an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on cutaneous ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in pressure ulcer (PU) model mice. Dorsal skin damage and dermal edema in mild PU model mice were attenuated by treatment with Derinat. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses showed that Derinat suppressed IR-induced oxidative damage, i.e. accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and related inflammatory factors such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in dorsal skin from PU model mice. We also verified that phospholyated/non-phosphorylated ratio of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) increased after IR, which were attenuated by Derinat. We then compared the effect of Derinat with that of salmon DNA and other PU therapeutic agents, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), by using severe PU model mice. The effects of Derinat and salmon-DNA were compatible with those of PGE1 and bFGF. These results suggest that Derinat other fish-derived DNA formulation could be effective enough and become intriguing new therapeutic options.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ РАЗВИТИЯ ЗООПЛАНКТОНА НА РОСТ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ВОЗРАСТНЫХ ГРУПП РУССКОГО ОСЕТРА, ВЫРАЩИВАЕМОГО В ПРУДАХ РЫБОВОДНОГО ХОЗЯЙСТВА АЛМАТИНСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The article studies the species composition of zooplankton in experimental hatchery ponds for breeding Russian sturgeon using the observations of 4-year data. The data onabundance and biological mass of zooplankton in experimental ponds used for breeding Russian sturgeon in the age 2-5 years has been presented. The dynamics of these parameters during the fish-breeding season is shown. The part of zooplankton organisms which can be considered as valuable feeding for Russian sturgeon (cladoceras) in relation to the total mass of zooplankton has been determined;their population and biological mass within a reproduction periodhave been presented. The prevalence of cladocerasin the number and biological mass above other zooplankton organisms in experimental ponds has been shown. The equations of regression of mass growth and zoological length of a body of 2-year, 3-year, 4-year and 5-year Russian sturgeon speciesgrown in experimental ponds have been presented. Great practical value have calculations of zooplankton biological mass which is optimal for breeding Russian sturgeon in the ponds of the Chilik hatchery of the Almaty region. There has been determined a connection between zooplankton biological mass and coefficients of mass and linear growth of different age groups of Russian sturgeon. There has been found correlation between the parameter of growth rate of zoological length of a body and the mean biological mass of zooplankton; weak correlative relation was observed between the growth parameter in the equation of weight growth of age groups of Russian sturgeon (3-year, 4-year and 5-year old species) grown in ponds, and average biological mass of zooplankton in these ponds. The recommendations on optimization of growing zooplankton in ponds of carp hatcheries used for breeding Russian sturgeon in order to raise their feeding status have been given.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ РУССКОГО ОСЕТРА ОТ МАССЫ 0,3 Г ДО ТРИДЦАТИГРАММОВОЙ МОЛОДИ В БАССЕЙНАХ СИСТЕМЫ ЗАМКНУТОГО ВОДОСНАБЖЕНИЯ

The improvement of production processes of sturgeon rearing in the pools with recirculating aquaculture systems is relevant today due to fast development of the industrial methods of commercial sturgeon breeding. The most complicated stage of commercial sturgeon breeding refers to early development of hydrobionts, when changing to exogenous feed and transition from live feed to dry pelleted feed. There have been studied the characteristics of technological processes (sorting, seeding density, feeding) of breeding Russian sturgeon fingerlings with mass from 0.3 g to 30 g. Periodicity of sorting by three size-weight parameters was determined by different size of fingerlings. It has been inferred that the maximum fish growth rate is not favorable, because, to reach it there will be greater feed consumption. There have been worked out the general technological parameters recommended for growing Russian sturgeon fingerlings with mass from 0.3 g to 30 g in the pools with recirculating aquaculture systems. It has been shown that adherence to recommended technological parameters (water level, water temperature, oxygen saturation, seeding density, feeding rate) allows to reach 65% survival capacity of 30 g Russian sturgeon fingerlings that have fully changed to artificial mixed feed.

Effects of incubation temperature on the embryonic viability and hatching time in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

BackgroundRussian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) is an emerging candidate species in the Korean aquaculture domain owing to its highly valued caviar. Although the embryonic development of this species was previously described, the complete image data on the morphological differentiation of developing embryos have not been yet fully available. Further, with the viewpoint of larval production in hatchery, the effects of temperature on embryonic viability and the temporal window of hatching event have not been extensively studied. Hence, the objective of this study was to provide a complete set of photographic image data on the embryogenesis and also to examine the effects of incubation temperatures on embryonic viability and hatching event in farm-bred Russian sturgeon.ResultsTypical characteristics of embryonic development including uneven, holoblastic cleavages with unequal blastomeres, followed by the formation of germ layer, neurulation, and organogenesis until hatching, were documented. Under different temperature conditions (12, 16, or 20 °C), viability of embryos incubated at 12 °C was significantly lower as relative to those of 16 and 20 °C incubated embryos. Hatchability of embryos was higher, and the timing of hatching event was more synchronized at 20 °C than at 12 and 16 °C.ConclusionData from this study suggest that the incubation of Russian sturgeon embryos at 20 °C would be desirable in the hatchery practice with respect to the good hatchability of embryos and the synchronization of hatching events. Additionally, the updated image data for complete embryonic development could be a useful reference guide for not only developmental researches but also artificial propagation of Russian sturgeon in farms.

Вплив інактивованих пекарських дріжджів на потенціал росту молоді російського осетра Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Brandt)

Вплив інактивованих пекарських дріжджів на потенціал росту молоді російського осетра Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Brandt)

Validation of 12 species-specific, tetrasomic microsatellite loci from the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, for genetic broodstock management

The Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, is a critically endangered fish species. Hatcheries are operated in several countries within its natural range to produce stocking material for release into the wild and also for aquaculture purposes (caviar and meat production). An appropriate genetic broodstock management (plan or strategy) is required to avoid negative effects, e.g., admixture and hybridization of genetically differing stocks or loss of genetic variability due to inbreeding and genetic drift. Therefore, 11 tetrasomic microsatellite loci were newly isolated from the Russian sturgeon genome and arranged together with an already known locus into four multiplex PCR sets. These microsatellites were used to characterize three groups of hatchery juveniles from Germany (aquaculture production), Turkey, and Romania (production of stocking material) as well as a group of wild-caught adults from the Danube River, Romania. Based on the variability within groups, measured by the mean number of alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity, and the differentiation between groups, measured by Nei’s GST and genetic distance D, the ability of the 12 loci to detect unwanted reductions in genetic variability within hatchery juveniles and to differentiate between groups could be demonstrated. This set of loci can also be used to identify those pairs of spawners that transmit the highest possible genetic variability to the next generation.

Comparing some biological characteristics of two sturgeons species, Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) in the Caspian Sea

The objective of this study was to compare biological parameters such as length, weight, age, caviar production indices, caviar/weight, growth, condition factor and sex ratios of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedti Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) in the Caspian Sea during 1990-2014. The results showed that a variety of differences between this two species. All these characteristics (except condition factor) of Persian sturgeon were greater than Russian sturgeon. In the long period, the average (±SD) fork length ranged from 129.3 (±11.87) to 140.9 (±15.99) cm and 145.7 (±17.61) to 157.4 (±19.31) cm for the Persian sturgeon. The caviar harvest for the Russian sturgeon ranged from 3.86 (±1.05) to 5.02 (±1.82) kg with a caviar/weight ratio were ranged from 16.9 (±4.12) to 20.1% (±5.12), while comparatively for the Persian sturgeon was greater and ranged from 4.84 (±1.62) and 7.04 (±2.58) kg with a caviar/weight ratio of 16.2 (±3.99) to 21.1 (±5.20) %. The age of both species ranged between 6 to 40 years but the modal age of Russian sturgeon was less than Persian sturgeon. The male:female sex ratio of Russian and Persian sturgeons were 0.23:1 and 0.57:1, respective. The sex ratio of Russian sturgeon was significantly different from sex ration of Persian sturgeon (P <0.001). The condition factor of Russian sturgeon were 0.92 (±0.16) and 0.74 (±0.13) % for Russian sturgeon and Persian sturgeon. Also, results of the MANOVA revealed significant differences in community structure of two species (P < 0.001). Therefore, different conservation and management activity need for these two valuable sturgeons in the Caspian Sea.

ВПИВ ПЕКАРСЬКИХ ДРІЖДЖІВ НА ЛІПІДНИЙ ОБМІН МОЛОДІ РОСІЙСЬКОГО ОСЕТРА (ACIPENSER GUELDENSTAEDTII BRANDT)

ВПИВ ПЕКАРСЬКИХ ДРІЖДЖІВ НА ЛІПІДНИЙ ОБМІН МОЛОДІ РОСІЙСЬКОГО ОСЕТРА (ACIPENSER GUELDENSTAEDTII BRANDT)

Protein oxidation and proteolysis during roasting and in vitro digestion of fish (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii).

Roasted fish enjoys great popularity in Asia, but how roasting and subsequent digestion influence the oxidation and proteolysis of fish meat is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of roasting time on lipid and protein oxidation and their evolution and consequence on proteolysis during simulated digestion of fish fillets. Several oxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), free thiols, total carbonyls and Schiff bases) were employed to assess the oxidation of fish. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) assay for free amino groups were used to study the proteolysis during gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed that significant lipid and protein oxidative changes occurring in roasted fish fillets were reinforced after gastric digestion and were much more intense after intestinal digestion. Throughout roasting and digestion, a close interconnection between lipid and protein was also manifested as the levels of total carbonyls and Schiff bases rose while TBARS fell. Furthermore, free amino groups decreased with prolonged roasting time, signifying that protein oxidation before digestion resulted in impaired proteolysis during digestion. This study indicated that the lipid and protein oxidation of fish fillets could be dependent on time of roasting, and the oxidation continued to develop and have an impact on proteolysis during in vitro digestion. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Population ecological parameters and stock assessment of Russian sturgeonAcipenser gueldenstaedtiBrandt &amp; Ratzeburg, 1833 in the Southern Caspian Sea

Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833) is one of the major commercial sturgeon species, but there is no adequate information and previous-published about population dynamics and stock assessment of this species in the southern Caspian Sea. This paper examines the age structure, growth parameters, maturity, age at first capture, optimum length, natural and fishing mortality and amount of biomass in the southern Caspian Sea (Iranian waters), during a two decades time series period from 1990–1991 to 2008–2009. For a pooled data, the growth parameters were estimated as L∞ = 214.0 cm, K = 0.054, t0 = −4.5 year. Size at fifty percent sexual maturity was at FL = 118 cm for females and 113 cm for males. The age at first capture (tc) estimated to be 12.1 years. In the catch composition, bulk of the catch (75%) belonged to 13–17 years old. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) was estimated as 0.120 year−1 and the instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality (F) varied during the 19-year period between 0.130 to 0.505 year−1. The biomass showed a descending trend from 1,941.2 mt in 1990–1991 collapsed to about 55 mt in 2004–2005, and then decreased to the lowest level and represented 18.5 mt in 2008–2009. The result revealed that, the stock of Russian sturgeon is being over-fished. We concluded that to manage the sturgeons stocks, a coordinated regional and international effort are needed to provide immediate implementation of stock enhancement and management in the Caspian Sea.

Long Distance Migration of Beluga (Huso huso) and Stellate Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) in Lower Danube River in Relation with Iron Gate II Dam

Construction of the dams in Lower Danube River (LDR- rkm 0 Sulina – rkm 1075 Baziasi) without fish passages, as well as illegal fishery and river bottom modification due to navigation had negative impact on sturgeon’s populations. Beluga Sturgeon, Stellate Sturgeon and Russian Sturgeon still migrate to spawn in LDR but there is lack of information relating to sturgeons long distance migration in this area. Tagging with Vemco V16 TP acoustic tags, equipped with temperature and depth sensors involved 36 adult Beluga and 44 Stellate Sturgeons provide new data about sturgeon migration. Their migrations are monitored by VR2W receivers, deployed on between rkm 71 and rkm 864. Analysis of data showed that 17% of Beluga and 30% of Stellate Sturgeon never recorded and 30% and 11% of Beluga and Stellate Sturgeon recorded in period more than 30 days after tagging. Only 5% of Beluga and 7% of Stellate Sturgeon have been recorded after a period of more than 1 year. During 2013-2016 4 adult Beluga and 1 adult Stellate Sturgeon were recorded in the IGII Dam area. Results of this investigation showed that sturgeons still approached the IG2 dam and construction of fish passage on this dam is needed.

Application of interspecific Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (iSCNT) in sturgeons and an unexpectedly produced gynogenetic sterlet with homozygous quadruple haploid

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a very promising cloning technique for reconstruction of endangered animals. The aim of the present research is to implement the interspecific SCNT (iSCNT) technique to sturgeon; one fish family bearing some of the most critically endangered species. We transplanted single cells enzymatically isolated from a dissociated fin-fragment of the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) into non-enucleated eggs of the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), two species bearing different ploidy (4n and 2n, respectively). Up to 12% of the transplanted eggs underwent early development, and one feeding larva (0.5%) was successfully produced. Interestingly, although this transplant displayed tetraploidism (4n) as the donor species, the microsatellite and species-specific analysis showed recipient-exclusive homozygosis without any donor markers. Namely, with regards to this viable larva, host genome duplication occurred twice to form tetraploidism during its early development, probably due to iSCNT manipulation. The importance of this first attempt is to apply iSCNT in sturgeon species, establishing the crucial first steps by adjusting the cloning-methodology in sturgeon’s biology. Future improvements in sturgeon’s cloning are necessary for providing with great hope in sturgeon’s reproduction.

ВЛИЯНИЕ НОВОГО ВСЕЛЕНЦА ГРЕБНЕВИКА MNEMIOPSIS LEIDYI (А. AGASSIS, 1865) НА ОСНОВНЫЕ ЗВЕНЬЯ ЭКОСИСТЕМЫ КАСПИЙСКОГО МОРЯ

The article presents annual data (1999-2016) of ecological surveillance on the influence of newish for the Caspian Sea invader Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassis, 1865) on marine and anadromous fish species. There has been given the analysis of unfavourable effect of invader Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassis, 1865) on the abundance of marine, anadromous, semi-anadromous fishes and Caspian seal. There have been considered mechanisms, sequence and degree of impact of ctenophoran on ichthyophauna and marine mammals via a nutritive base. It has been stated that mnemiopsis distribution corresponds to seasonal distribution of zooplankton and meroplankton, whereas ctenoforan being an organism with aggressive "r-strategy" of development influences ichthyophauna both directly (eating pelagic roe and larvae of sea fish) and indirectly (via nutritive base). Drastic reduction of catches of the Caspian sprat, in particular anchovy sprat and big-eyed sprat, is stipulated by nutritional competence between these fish species and ctenoforan Mnemiopsis leidyi. In turn, decrease in number of the Caspian sprat resulted in change of the nutrient budget of the sturgeon (Russian sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, beluga) and in decrease of their number and commercial stocks. There have been offered the solutions to the ecological problem and measures to restore sturgeon stocks. Results of the research can be used in forecasting commercial fish species stocks in the Caspian Sea and in determining the damage from annual invasions of Mnemiopsis ( Memiopsis leidyi (A. Agassis, 1865)) in the northern part of the Caspian Sea.

Changes of Somatotropin Concentration in Blood Serum of Juvenile Russian Sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Acipenseriformes) During Adaptation to Hyperosmotic Medium

To study the role of somatotropin (ST) in osmotic regulation of anadromous acipenserids, the dynamics of hormone concentration in blood serum of juvenile Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt (age 4 months, average length 16.9 cm, average weight 17.1 g) during fish adaptation to hyperosmotic medium of 12.5‰ salinity (403 mOsm/l) was evaluated for the first time. During the first 24 h after the transfer of fish from freshwater to hyperosmotic medium, an increase of ST serum concentration (up to 2.06 ± 0.09 vs. 0.98 ± 0.03 pg/ml in control fish from freshwater) was observed. This increase occurs concurrently with an increase in blood serum osmolarity (up to 386.2 ± 4.0 mOsm/l vs. 218.5 ± 4.9 mOsm/l in control) resulting from the diffusion of water from the organism under new osmotic gradient, as well as with the period of morphofunctional remodelling of the osmoregulatory system corresponding to the transition of fish to hypoosmotic regulation. 24 h after the start of the experiment, fish that have shifted to hypoosmotic regulation display the adaptive decrease in osmolarity (aimed at maintaining the relative constancy of blood serum) and the ST concentration (down to 1.18 ± 0.16 pg/ml after 120 h, comparable with that in the control fish). It is concluded that during transition of juvenile Russian sturgeon to hypoosmotic regulation, ST becomes involved in morphofunctional remodelling of the osmoregulatory system concurrently with other components of this system. ST-immunopositive cells were revealed in the dorsal part of mesoadenohypophysis of Russian sturgeon juveniles by immunochemical method.

Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus and alien sturgeon species in Polish waters: can biometric analysis assist species discrimination and restoration?

Biometric character analyses were conducted on Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus, a species included in a re-establishment programme in the Baltic Sea basin. The study sought to identify measurable and countable characters most useful for distinguishing A. oxyrinchus from three alien species found in open waters of Poland: Acipenser baerii, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, and Acipenser stellatus. Measurable characters that contributed most to discrimination included preorbital distance, eye diameter, ventral fin base to anal fin base, and postorbital distance. Among countable characters, the number of lateral scutes made the greatest contribution. The data from the present study may be used to supplement existing systematic keys and lay the foundations for creating a catalogue or atlas of popular species and interspecific hybrids of sturgeon, including their complete systematic determination.

Evaluation of defatted krill meal as partial and total fishmeal replacement in diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Evaluation of defatted krill meal as partial and total fishmeal replacement in diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Evaluation of Candidate Housekeeping Genes for the Normalization of RT-qPCR Analysis using Developing Embryos and Prolarvae in Russian Sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Evaluation of Candidate Housekeeping Genes for the Normalization of RT-qPCR Analysis using Developing Embryos and Prolarvae in Russian Sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii