High-energy diets for white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson

Four diets formulated for salmon were fed to 0.11 kg white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, for 8 weeks. Dietary compositions ranged from 258 to 402 g lipid kg⁻¹, 535–378 g protein kg⁻¹ and 22.7–14.4 g protein MJ⁻¹ gross energy.
Fish in all treatments grew rapidly, utilized the diets efficiently and had body compositions similar to what has been found in previous studies, but there were some dietary effects. Sturgeon fed the diet with the highest lipid content and lowest protein/energy ratio had lower ( P < 0.05) specific growth rate, feed efficiency, and liver moisture and protein contents, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity, but higher liver lipid contents than fish fed the other three diets. Condition factor, organ to body weight ratios, whole-body and plasma concentrations of protein, glucose and triglyceride, and liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activities did not differ significantly among dietary treatments. This suggests that white sturgeon subyearlings can utilize diets with high lipid contents (258–357 g kg⁻¹) to display good growth without major adverse effects on body composition and liver lipogenic enzyme activities.     

Evaluation of lethal and non-lethal sampling methods for the detection of white sturgeon iridovirus infection in white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus (Richardson)

Pectoral fin tissue of white sturgeon was investigated as a potential non-lethal sample source for the detection of white sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV) infection. Histopathology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results using fin tissue were compared with the standard lethal histopathology sampling method that utilizes head tissue. Tissues for each of the three sampling methods were collected weekly for 8 weeks from individual sturgeon undergoing an experimental cohabitation challenge with fish infected with the Abernathy isolate of WSIV. Non-lethal fin histopathological evaluation did not reveal infection during the first 3 weeks of sampling, while non-lethal PCR and the lethal method were variable. However, all three sampling methods were equally capable of identifying infection from 4 to 8 weeks post-exposure. Of the survivors tested, all were negative by PCR and the lethal method, and only one fish was identified as being positive by non-lethal fin histopathology. In another experiment, all three sampling methods were applied to asymptomatic WSIV carriers in a case study conducted at the Kootenai Tribal Sturgeon Conservation Hatchery. Results showed that both lethal and non-lethal fin histopathology were equally effective in detecting infection, but PCR was unable to identify this strain of WSIV. Depending on the virus isolate, these results suggest that non-lethal sampling of fin tissue (histopathology or PCR) is comparable with the lethal sampling method at identifying WSIV infection once infection is established, and under certain circumstances may provide an alternative to lethal sampling.     

Poor utilization of dietary free amino acids by white sturgeon

Three separate experiments were conducted to investigate the utilization of dietary free amino acids by white sturgeon,Acipenser transmontanus. In the first experiment, sturgeon were fed for 8 weeks with isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets containing either intact protein, an amino acid mixture, or a neutralized amino acid mixture of similar composition. Sturgeon fed the two amino acid diets grew significantly (p<0.05) less, mainly because of reduced feed intake. In the second experiment, postprandial changes in plasma free amino acids of sturgeon force-fed the above diets were monitored at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h Total plasma amino acids in sturgeon force-fed the intact protein diet showed a gradual increase and reached peak levels at 8 h. In contrast, plasma amino acids of fish force-fed the amino acid diets showed a rapid increase and reached maximal levels at 2 h. In the third experiment, free amino acid diets showed a urine of sturgeon force-fed the three diets was monitored at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h. In all dietary groups, peak excretion of indispensable amino acids was detected at 8 h after feeding but with significantly higher levels from fish force-fed the amino acid diets. Sturgeon force-fed the neutralized amino acid diet excreted 35% less amino acids compared to fish force-fed the non-neutralized diet. Sturgeon force-fed the intact protein diet excreted significantly higher amounts of ammonia. Under amino acid feeding conditions, sturgeon excreted more amino acids in its urine, but the urinary excretion of amino acids was not a major route in dealing with the rapid absorption of dietary free amino acids.     

Outbreaks of severe myositis in cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus L.) associated with Streptococcus iniae

Outbreaks of an infectious disease affecting cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were investigated. Clinical signs included erratic swimming, arching of the back and mortality. Necropsy findings included poorly demarcated yellow to dark-red and friable lesions in the epaxial muscle, ulcerative skin lesions and haemorrhages in the swim bladder and coelomic wall. Histological evaluation revealed areas of necrotizing and heterophilic myositis with aggregates of bacterial cocci. The lumen of blood vessels in the dermis, under ulcerated areas, and in the posterior kidney, was occluded by fibrin thrombi. Aggregates of Gram-positive cocci were observed in the muscle lesions and within the fibrin thrombi in the dermis and kidney. Genetically homogeneous Streptococcus iniae strains were recovered from affected fish from different outbreaks. The isolates shared high degree of similarity at gene locus (gyrB) with previously characterized S. iniae from cultured fish in California, confirming the emergence of this particular strain of S. iniae in US aquaculture.     

Estimating the ideal dietary indispensable amino acid pattern for growth of white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus (Richardson)

Juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus, Richardson) were fed or starved for 4 weeks, and their whole body amino acid composition determined at the beginning and the end of the study. The amino acid compositions of muscle, liver, gill and gastrointestinal tract, and the free amino acids in plasma of fed and starved fish were also determined. Very little variation was observed in the amino acid compositions of all the tissues examined after starvation. However, the plasma free amino acids were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased following starvation. On the basis of the amino acid composition and nitrogen retention values of the whole fish, daily indispensable amino acid requirements for protein accretion and obligatory nitrogen losses (mg amino acid 100 g body weighr^?1 day^?1) were estimated. The pattern of indispensable amino acids required for each of these is different, with the pattern for protein accretion containing much higher levels of lysine, but lower levels of tryptophan and sulfur amino acids. Individual amino acid retention rates varied from 33.3% of dietary tryptophan to 80.2% for arginine. The estimated dietary indispensable amino acid pattern for young growing white sturgeon (expressed as a percentage of total indispensable amino acids plus cystine and tyrosine) is: arginine, 14.0; histidine, 6.6; isoleucine, 8.8; leucine, 12.5; lysine, 15.8; methionine (plus cystine), 6.6; phenylalanine (plus tyrosine), 15.5; threonine, 9.7; tryptophan, 0.8; and valine, 9.7.     

Effects of dietary lipids on the fatty acid composition of triglycerides and phospholipids in tissues of white sturgeon

Eight purified diets were fed to juvenile white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Rick, for 9 weeks to investigate the effect of dietary lipids on the fatty acid composition of phospholipids and triglycerides from muscle, liver and brain. The diets contained 150 g kg^?1 of oils from canola, corn, cod liver, lard, linseed, soybean, safflower, or a control mixture (corn oil/cod liver oil/lard, 1:1:1, by wt). Dietary lipids significantly (P≤ 05) affected the composition of tissue triglycerides and phospholipids. Tissue triglyceride fatty acid composition ranged widely, in parallel with the dietary lipids, while phospholipids changes were more conservative. Brain phospholipid fatty acid composition was less responsive to diet compared with that in muscle and liver. Considerable amounts of n-6 and n-3 long chain polyun-saturated fatty acids (> C₂₀) were found in triglycerides and phospholipids with all diets, demonstrating that white sturgeon can desaturate and elongate linoleic acid (18:2n–6) and linolenic acid (18:3n–3). Further, the products of the Δ6 desaturase, i.e. 18:3 n–6 and 18:4n–3, were relatively abundant in triglyceride, suggesting that the Δ6 desaturase might not be a limiting step in the process in white sturgeon. Nevertheless, accumulation of both EPA and DHA was greater in the sturgeon fed fish oil than those fed linseed oil, indicating that muscle triglyceride EPA and DHA levels are best enhanced by diets rich in preformed EPA and DHA.     

Dopaminergic influence on gonadotropin secretion in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The effects of dopamine on the secretion of two sturgeon gonadotropins (stGTH I and stGTH II) in sexually mature male white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were evaluated. In Experiment I, sturgeon were given intraperitoneal injections of physiological saline (PS), dopamine (100 mg kg⁻¹), the gonadotropin releasing hormone analog D-Ala⁶-des-Gly¹⁰-GnRH ethylamide (GnRHA) (10 μg/kg⁻¹), and a combination of GnRHa and dopamine. Fish receiving only GnRHa had significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of plasma stGTH I and stGTH II compared to fish receiving PS, dopamine, or a combination of GnRHa and dopamine. Two hours following its administration, dopamine was effective in decreasing plasma concentrations of both stGTHs that were previously elevated by GnRHa. Dopamine or PS administered by themselves did not alter plasma concentrations of either stGTH. In Experiment II, sturgeon injected intraperitoneally with a combination of GnRHa and pimozide had significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of plasma stGTH I and stGTH II compared to males receiving GnRHa or pimozide alone. While this effect of GnRHAa + pimozide was observed in the spring, no such potentiation was seen in these fish during the summer (Experiment III). These results represent the first evidence of dopaminergic inhibition of GnRH-induced pituitary gonadotropin secretion in Chondrostean fish.     

Effects of steroid hormones on in vitro oocyte maturation in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The in vitro effects of several steroids on the maturation of intact white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) ovarian follicles were investigated. At the highest concentration (1024 ng ml^–1 for the C21 steroids and 1139 ng ml^–1 for the C19 steroids), all of the C21 steroids tested, progesterone (P4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P), 17,(20,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one 20-S), 11-deoxycortisol (S) and cortisol (F), as well as testosterone (T) induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) at 14 and 22 h. At 6 h, only P4 and 17,20-P induced maturation at the highest concentration (1024 ng ml^–1). At 14 and 22 h, 11-deoxycortisol was the most potent steroid inducer of GVBD followed by P4, 17OHP, 17,20-P, and 20-S. The steroid 11-hydroxytestosterone (11OHT) was completely ineffective at all concentrations and exposure times. The C21 steroids induced oocyte maturation at concentrations ranging from 4 to 1024 ng ml^–1, whereas T induced GVBD at 225 to 1139 ng ml^–1. Calculation of the mean effective concentration that induced 50% GVBD (EC50) from the 22 h incubations revealed the following order of potencies: S > P4 > 17OHP > 17,20-P > 20-S >> F > T. These bioassay results, together with previous findings on the endogenous production of steroids by ovarian follicles from gonadotropin-primed females, indicate that more than one steroid has a biological role in the resumption of meiosis in sturgeon oocytes and provides empirical evidence for P4, 17OHP, S, 20-S, and 17,20-P as maturation-inducing steroids in white sturgeon.     

Deep hooking,landing success and gear loss using inline and offset circle and J hooks when bait fishing for white sturgeon

The issue of deep hooking is of concern in white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, fisheries because nearly all anglers use bait with a stationary presentation on the river bottom to catch them, and bait fishing is often associated with higher instances of deep hooking and hooking mortality. Deep hooking rates, landing success and catch rates were investigated for anglers bait fishing for white sturgeon using circle and J hooks with inline and offset alignments fished with both active and passive hook‐setting methods. Anglers hooked 578 white sturgeon and landed 508 fish, ranging in size from 60 to 316 cm total length (mean = 137 cm). Deep hooking rates averaged 0.6% and did not differ between hook types, hook alignments or hook‐setting methods. Landing success (the proportion of hooked sturgeon that were successfully landed) and catch rates were also equivalent between hook types, hook alignments and hook‐setting methods; landing success averaged 88% and catch rates averaged 0.27 fish/hr. Results of this study indicate that deep hooking is rare when angling for white sturgeon using standard bait‐fishing gear regardless of hook‐setting method or whether circle or J hooks were used; regulations restricting hook type in sturgeon bait fisheries are therefore unwarranted.     

Effects of feeding rates on growth performances of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fries

Four 1‐week growth trials were conducted to determine the effects of feeding rates on the growth performances of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fries 6–9 weeks after initiation of feeding. Six feeding rates with four replications were used in each of the four trials, and the feeding rates were 3.0–8.0, 2.0–7.0, 1.0–6.0 and 1.0–6.0% body weight (BW) per day in 1% increment, respectively. Number of fries per replicate and their initial BW (means ± SEM) were 60, 45, 30 and 30 and 2.8 ± 0.1, 4.5 ± 0.4, 8.5 ± 0.7 and 10.0 ± 0.7 g, respectively. The fries were kept at 18–19 °C and fed a commercial salmonid feed (488 g kg^?1 protein and 123 g kg^?1 fat). Mortality was low and unrelated to feeding rates. Final body weights, body weight increases, specific growth rates and feed efficiency were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the feeding rates. Body moisture and lipid contents were significantly affected by feeding rates except body moisture content in trial II. Body protein contents were not affected by feeding rates except in trial III. Broken‐line analysis on specific growth rates indicated that the optimum feeding rates were 6.5 ± 0.4, 4.8 ± 0.2, 4.2 ± 0.1 and 3.8 ± 0.2% body weight per day, respectively, for white sturgeon fries 6–9 weeks after initiation of feeding.     

Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny

Ontogenetic changes in digestive tract histology and digestive enzyme histochemistry were investigated 11 to 36 days post-hatch in white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus larvae. From initiation of exogenous feeding (12 days post-hatch), larvae were fed a commercial salmonid diet for the ensuing 24 days. The digestive system of white sturgeon displayed a high degree of morphologic organization and functionality at the onset of exogenous feeding. An enhancement of digestive capacities occurred with transition to active feeding. On day 2 of feeding, there was a clear increase of alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase M, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and -glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the brush border of the spiral intestine. This strong activity is an apparent confirmation of the importance of this segment of the intestine for protein digestion and nutrient absorption. The functional development of the pyloric intestine occurred on day 4 and was concomitant with an increase in the activity of brush border and cytoplasmic enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase, dipeptidyl peptidase II, - and -galactosidases. The absence of acetylcholinesterase, lactase, nonspecific esterase, and weak activity of exopeptidases and alkaline phosphatase in the anterior intestine suggests that this segment of the intestine may be less important in nutrient absorption than the pyloric and spiral intestines. The observed quantitative and qualitative differences in enzyme activity along the intestine indicate a high degree of specialization of each segment for specific digestive and absorptive processes.     

鲟鱼GtH放射免疫测定方法的建立及催产前后史氏鲟血清GtH含量的变化

用蛋白质快速液相层析(FPLC)分离俄罗斯鲟鱼脑垂体促性腺激素（GtH），共获得GtH纯化蛋白4.6mg。用SDS-PAGE变性胶电泳图谱初步分析纯化蛋白，用反相高效液相色谱（rpHPLC）分离出两个亚基，质谱测定α亚基分子量：15603KD，两个β亚基分子量分别为14338KD和14694KD。制备了鲟鱼GtH的兔抗血清多克隆抗体，采用氯胺T法用125I标记抗原，用羊抗兔γ球蛋白做二抗，建立鲟鱼GtH的放射免疫测定方法。测定了催产前后不同时间史氏鲟血清中GtH含量的变化，统计分析表明成功排卵的雌鱼比未排卵和阴性对照组在催产后12小时和16小时GTH分泌量升高显著，最高达到234ng/ml；催产效应时间与催产后血清中GtH的含量紧密相关。     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).     

Effects of Spirulina and plant oil on the growth and lipid traits of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fingerlings

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of diets with Spirulina and plant oils (POs) inclusion for white sturgeon weaning and their effects on the fatty acid (FA) composition of fish flesh. Three isoproteic (45%) and isoenergetic (21 MJ kg^?1 DM) diets were formulated: one fish meal‐based diet integrated with fish oil (FMO) and two 40% Spirulina meal‐based diets integrated with corn (SPC) or soybean (SPS) oils respectively. One hundred and thirty‐five white sturgeon fingerlings (mean weight 17.5 g) were stocked randomly in nine fibreglass tanks. At the end of the trial, which lasted 71 days, the growth performance traits and somatic indexes were determined. The chemical composition, gross energy and FA profile were determined on the fish fillets. No significant effects were observed for the growth performances or fillet chemical composition. The FA profile of the fillets reflected those of the diets. In particular, the fillets of the fish fed with the SPC and SPS diets were lower in n‐3 FA, due to the substitution of fish oil (FO) with POs. It is possible to replace FO and meal in sturgeon; therefore, Spirulina meal integrated with POs could be a good alternative to sturgeon diet.     

Effects of feeding a high level of D-glucose on liver function in juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

Juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were fed three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing either 35% D-glucose (HC), a mixture of 20% dextrin and 10% cellulose (MC), or 23% cellulose (LC), to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate on liver function. After 8-week feeding, body weight gain of fish fed the HC diet was consistently higher than that of fish fed the MC and LC diets, but was not significantly different from the MC-fed fish. Fish fed the HC diet had significantly (p < 0.05) higher feed efficiencies and liver glycogen concentrations than fish fed the MC and LC diets. Sturgeon were injected intravenously with 10 mg kg^-1 body weight of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) and post-injection blood taken from the caudal vein at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. No significant differences in plasma BSP concentrations were found among the treatments at these times. Plasma hemoglobin and activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase were not affected by the diets. This study suggests that the HC diet does not adversely affect liver function or weight gain. Inclusion of high dietary levels of digestible and inexpensive carbohydrates in commercial sturgeon feeds seems promising, but long-term feeding trials should be conducted to confirm this assertion.     

杂交鲟鱼苗适宜盐度范围

为了解小规格杂交鲟鱼对盐度生物学适应性,拓展杂交鲟鱼的养殖范围提供基础资料。研究采用阶段性递增盐度和连续性递增盐度的方法,对杂交鲟鱼苗（亲本为欧洲鳇和史氏鲟）存活率影响进行了比较。结果表明：以每5d阶段性递增5个盐度,4．5～9．0、15．0～20．0cm/尾试验组鱼苗分别在盐度5和10开始死亡。以每天连续性递增2个盐度,在盐度达到10后稳定5d。4．5～5．0、6．5—7．0、7．5～9．0、15～20cm/尾试验组鱼苗分别在盐度6、8、10、10时开始死亡。由此得到,采用小幅度的盐度调整是比较合理的。     

Standardised removal and sectioning locations for shovelnose sturgeon fin rays

Abstract  Fin rays are a common structure used in age and growth analyses, but many inconsistencies exist regarding removal and processing methodology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate precision of age estimates obtained from shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque) fin rays sectioned at different locations. Fin rays were examined from 203 shovelnose sturgeon sampled from Pools 9, 13 and 14 of the Mississippi River. Three readers provided age estimates for sections acquired from five locations along fin rays to determine the optimum location for removing and sectioning fin rays. Precision and readability were generally greater for fin ray sections close to the articulating process on the fin ray (i.e. proximal) and decreased as sections approached the tip (i.e. distal). Based on these results, it is recommended that scientists remove shovelnose sturgeon fin rays at the articulating process and section immediately distal to the conspicuous curve in the fin ray close to the articulating process of the ray.     

浮球式生物滤器在鲟鱼工厂化养殖生产中的应用

本介绍了双层浮球式生物滤器在封闭循环式鲟鱼养殖生产中的应用情况。在一个120m^3水体,养殖密度19kg／m^3的鲟鱼循环养殖系统中,应用一套动力为4kw、处理能力为40T／h的BAF-40型双层浮球生物过滤设备进行养殖水体的循环使用处理。在生产过程中,对养殖水体的pH、DO、COD、悬浮物、氨氮、亚硝酸盐、硝酸盐等水化学指标进行了监测,并对鲟鱼在养殖过程中不同阶段的生长情况进行了测量。结果表明,在水体循环周期为1次／3h,换水周期为1次／周的条件下COD≤15mg／l、氨氮≤1mg／l、亚硝酸盐≤0．13mg／l、硝酸盐≤24mg/l,经12月养殖,成活率为98％,增重10倍。应用表明BAF-40型双层浮球式生物滤器可完全满足鲟鱼工厂化养殖生产的要求,确保鲟鱼养殖水体的水质和鱼类生长环境,达到良好养殖效果。