Using machine learning algorithms to analyse the scute structure and sex identification of sterlet Acipenser ruthenus (Acipenseridae)

Sturgeons are valued as specialty black caviar, which is very expensive. Only females are used in the technology of caviar aquaculture. Universal method of sex determination has not yet been developed. Most of known methods are not sufficiently accurate, or used at a relatively late age, or difficult to use. Perfect early determination of sex is considered to be impossible. Because of the dark colour of most sturgeons and important morphological differences, which fish of almost all ages have, were overlooked. We first found that the scute structure of sterlet sturgeon depends on the sex. The found dependencies with the help of machine learning algorithms open a possibility for creation of sex determination equipment using the artificial intelligence. Our results open a perspective for creation of sex determination methods for other 23 sturgeon species, which can increase the efficiency of caviar aquaculture and restoration of sturgeons in natural waters.     

我国鲟鱼籽酱加工产业化开发

随着我国鲟鱼养殖规模的扩大,加强鲟鱼深加工产品开发,拓展产业链,优化产业结构,成为鲟鱼产业发展的必由之路。鱼籽酱作为鲟鱼加工的主要产品,加快实现其规模化生产将是我国鲟鱼产业升级的重要方向。本文在阐述全球鲟鱼籽酱产业现状的基础上,着重分析了我国鲟鱼籽酱加工研究及其产业化前景,总结了其中存在的主要问题,并提出了相应的对策。     

A review of sex determination and searches for sex‐specific markers in sturgeon

The availability of monosex populations of caviar‐producing female sturgeon would considerably enhance the economic viability of domestic caviar production systems. However, it is not possible to distinguish males from females by morphological characters at larval, juvenile and even adult stages. The mechanism of sex determination in sturgeons is poorly understood, and to date no sex‐specific markers in sturgeon have been reported. This review concentrates on the methodologies used to elucidate the mode of sex determination in sturgeon species and provides information on the molecular tools used to determine genetic sex markers.     

Status, trends and management of sturgeon and paddlefish fisheries

The 27 extant species of sturgeons and paddlefishes (Order Acipenseriformes) represent a unique and relict lineage of fishes. Producers of coveted black caviar, sturgeons are one of the most valuable wildlife commodities on earth. The group is among the most endangered fishes with all species listed under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I (two species) or II (25 species), only two species considered Lower Risk by IUCN, four of the nine US taxa and one Caspian species protected under the Endangered Species Act, and local extinctions recorded for 19 of 27 species. Despite their well‐publicized imperilled status, commercial pressure on 15 species persists. Here, after reviewing the biological characteristics of sturgeons and paddlefishes and their commercial use, an overview of global fisheries is presented. The synopsis demonstrates that, with few exceptions, sturgeon and paddlefish are imperilled across the globe and long‐term survival in the wild is in jeopardy. All major sturgeon fisheries have surpassed peak productivity levels, with 70% of major fisheries posting recent harvests <15% of historic peak catches and 35% of the fisheries examined crashing within 7–20 years of inception. Even in Caspian Sea fisheries, the most important globally, present catches are below 10% of historic peak landings. Improved domestic and international fisheries management and attention to habitat and species restoration is now needed. Although captive rearing offers promise for caviar alternatives and endangered species restoration, it must advance cautiously to avoid environmental harm. To ensure a continued supply of caviar and the survival of these unique fishes we offer recommendations for priority conservation action for the future.     

Use of endoscopy for gender and ovarian stage determinations in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) grown in aquaculture

The Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) is native to the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. It used to breed in the main incoming rivers, until dam construction in the mid 20th century blocked upriver spawning migration. Aquaculture of Russian sturgeon has only recently begun, prompted by their declining populations in natural habitats and the rise in meat and caviar prices. However, information on their gonadal development and puberty under culture conditions is incomplete.

Because sturgeons have no external sexual dimorphism and there are no external markers for sexing, internal examination of the gonads must be employed for gender identification as well as to monitor their development. The present study describes endoscopic and histological observations of the gonads of young Russian sturgeons aimed at identifying gender and monitoring ovarian developmental stage in females up to the age of 6 years, when they enter their first puberty cycle, as well as at 7 years of age, when they have completed vitellogenesis, under culture conditions. This information, as related to fish age and size, is of vital importance to commercial farming of Russian sturgeon for caviar production and reproduction.

For gonadal observations in both sexes, we used an endoscopic system consisting of a 4 mm, 14 cm long cystoscope sheath incorporated with fiber-optic light transmission, connected to a halogen cold light source and a miniature videocamera with a control unit attached to a color monitor. This system allowed us viewing of the fish's abdominal organs, and to save pictures of selected areas of the gonads on a computer as the fish's personal record. Ovarian biopsies were taken in parallel for histology at typical stages of gonadal development.

Gender could be identified with this system as early as at 3 years of age and the sex ratio under culture conditions of females, males and unidentified gender were 55, 40 and 5%, respectively.

Not only did large differences occur in the developmental stages of female of the same age group, but also ovarian development was highly asynchronous at the early vitellogenic stages. In late vitellogenesis, at the “gray egg” stage (1600–2600 μm diameter), the oocytes were quite regular in size and color, and remained so until the final stages of maturity.

Our study suggests that endoscopy is an efficient method for both gender identification at an early age, and for determination of gonadal development stage in sturgeon aquaculture. The ability to see the whole intact gonads of anesthetized fish can reveal important management and research information, with minimal damage or stress to the fish.     

鲟鱼子酱的生产与国际贸易概况

简要介绍近些年世界鲟鱼子酱的生产及贸易情况,以及我国鲟鱼子酱的生产品种、产量、价格及贸易等情况;分析和预测我国养殖鲟鱼子酱产业的前景,为我国鲟养殖产业的有序持续发展提供参考。     

中国鲟鱼产业技术研发现状与展望

2016年中国鲟鱼养殖产量89 773吨。鲟鱼种苗、饲料、养殖、加工及销售等环节的一些实用技术基本能满足鲟鱼产业的现实需要,但仍然存在不少问题,如种质退化问题、鱼子酱及鱼肉的品质问题、养殖过程中的氮磷排放问题。本文就中国已经形成的鲟鱼产业技术进行梳理、评述和展望。     

长江江苏溆浦段2015 年发现中华鲟野生幼鱼的形态和分子鉴定

在葛洲坝下中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)产卵场连续两年未监测到自然繁殖的情况下,2015年6月在江苏溆浦段发现15尾疑似中华鲟幼鱼。本研究通过形态学和分子生物学方法对该15尾幼鲟进行鉴定。形态学度量结果显示,除1尾个体外,新发现的14尾幼鲟与历史记载的中华鲟野生幼鱼生物学性状完全一致,但其体长和体重低于历史同期出现在该区域的中华鲟。同时采用11个多态微卫星位点,对15尾幼鲟样本和分布于我国的3种鲟鱼,包括30尾中华鲟(A.sinensis)、39尾达氏鲟(A.dabryanus)和33尾施氏鲟(A.dabryanus)进行遗传分析,发现这15尾幼鲟与中华鲟的遗传距离最近(F_(st)=0.039,P0.05),其次为达氏鲟(F_(st)=0.108,P0.05),最远为施氏鲟(F_(st)=0.209,P0.05),从遗传和进化的角度判定该批幼鱼为中华鲟,该结果暗示中华鲟在葛洲坝下游极有可能找到了新的产卵场,为中华鲟的繁殖群体和幼鱼的种群监测提供了依据。遗传多样性分析显示,该批鱼的遗传多样性(SW=1.998)略低于野生中华鲟(SW=1.886),暗示中华鲟幼鱼遗传多样性水平降低,野生亲本的数量仍不容乐观。     

鲟鱼生殖内分泌学研究进展

目前所有鲟形目鱼类均处于不同程度濒危状态,物种保育形势非常紧迫。鲟鱼生殖内分泌生理学研究是研究鲟鱼类生殖特性和人工繁殖的理论基础,对于物种保护和水产养殖均具有重要价值。与硬骨鱼类比较,目前人们对鲟鱼生殖内分泌的研究相对较少,研究集中在下丘脑-脑垂体-性腺轴所调控的生殖生理特性,已经对生殖轴上关键内分泌激素(如促性腺激素释放激素、促性腺激素类和性类固醇激素等)和环境因素对鲟鱼生殖内分泌的影响开展初步研究,生殖内分泌学研究手段已经成为评估野生和养殖鲟鱼类的生殖发育状况的重要工具。对鲟鱼生殖内分泌学研究进展进行简要概述,为进一步深入研究鲟鱼的生殖特性提供有益的参考资料。     

中国达氏鳇野生群体和两个养殖群体的线粒体遗传多样性分析

达氏鳇(Huso dauricus)是黑龙江流域土著鲟,近几十年来野生资源急剧下降,被确定为濒危物种之一。本研究采用线粒体DNA的Cyt b基因和D-loop区域的多态性信息评估了黑龙江抚远段野生群体、北京房山国家级鲟鱼原种场的保种群体及浙江衢州国家级鲟鱼良种场的繁殖群体等3个达氏鳇群体的遗传多样性水平。所有测试个体在Cyt b基因位点的核苷酸水平上没有检测到多样性,均具有相同的Cyt b单倍型,而在D-loop区域中发现了9种单倍型,对于D-loop区,单倍型多样性(H_d)达到0.593,但核苷酸多样性(π)仅为0.00213。在8尾野生个体中检测到6种D-loop单倍型,2个养殖群体共计58尾个体共计检出5种D-loop单倍型个体。分析结果显示:野生达氏鳇群体遗传多样性极低,历史上可能经历过严重的遗传瓶颈,同时达氏鳇人工繁殖过程中每批次可能只有极少个体参与了繁殖。此外,基于Cyt b基因部分序列的分析结果提示,达氏鳇与其他太平洋鲟类的亲缘关系较近,而与欧鳇(Huso huso)关系较远,传统上鳇属(Huso)的分类地位得不到有效的分子生物学数据支持。     

基于标志放流信息的长江口中华鲟降海洄游和分布特征

中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)为国家一级重点保护野生动物。2004—2014 年在长江口水域标志放流中华鲟 12570 尾, 标志回捕中华鲟 24 尾次, 接收 18 枚落式卫星数据回收标志(PAT)信息。本研究根据标志放流信息, 分析研究长江口标志放流中华鲟降海洄游和分布特征。研究结果表明: (1)长江口标志放流中华鲟分布于经度跨度 7°, 纬度跨度 9°的长江口水域和东海及黄海海域, 主要聚集分布区为长江口水域和舟山群岛海域; (2)标志放流中华鲟具有显著的降海洄游趋势, 放流后短期滞留在长江口淡水环境, 7 d 后具有进入海洋的行为; (3)长江口标志放流中华鲟进入海洋后, 其迁移方向会出现随机性, 在迁移过程中具有折返、转向、停滞的特征。本研究通过对长江口增殖放流的中华鲟标志回捕信息开展研究, 旨在揭示中华鲟降海洄游和分布特征, 为中华鲟资源保护提供科学依据。     

Confirmation of ovarian homogeneity in post-vitellogenic cultured white sturgeon,Acipenser transmontanus

Assessing stage of oocyte maturity in female sturgeon by calculating oocyte polarization index (PI) is a necessary tool for both conservation propagation managers and caviar producers to know when to hormonally induce spawning. We tested the assumption that sampling ovarian follicles from one section of one ovary is sufficient for calculating an oocyte PI representative of oocyte maturity for an individual animal. Short-wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy (SW-NIR) scans were performed on three positions per ovary for five fish prior to caviar harvest. Samples of ovarian follicles were subsequently taken from the exact location of the SW-NIR scans for calculation of oocyte PI and follicle diameter. Oocyte PI was statistically different though not biologically relevant within an ovary and between ovaries in four of five fish. Follicle diameter was statistically different but not biologically relevant within an ovary in three of five fish. There were no differences in follicle diameter between ovaries. No statistical differences were observed between SW-NIR spectra collected at different locations within an ovary or between ovaries. These results emphasize the importance of utilizing both oocyte PI measurement and progesterone-induced oocyte maturation assays while deciding when to hormonally induce spawning in sturgeon females.     

Mixed mycobacterial infections in farmed sturgeons

Based on microbiological and histopathological examinations and DNA sequencing, several outbreaks of mycobacteriosis in the reared sturgeons, including Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis Gray) and Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrencki), were identified during 2009 to 2010. Forty‐nine isolates of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria(NTM)were isolated from 19 diseased sturgeons. In total, seven species of Mycobacterium were identified, namely, Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium szulgai, Mycobacterium arupense and Mycobacterium porcinum. Among them, M. marinum was found to be more prevalent (89.5%) compared with the other mycobacterial species. When two molecular biological methods, PCR‐DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) analysis and rpoB gene library sequencing, were used to analyse the mycobacterial DNAs extracted from the diseased fish tissues, mixed infections of two or three mycobacterial species were found being the predominant infection form (94.7%) in sturgeon mycobacteriosis. M. marinum was the only one species that caused sturgeon mycobacteriosis alone. Virulence assay showed that M. marinum possessed stronger pathogenicity to zebrafish killing 100% of fish in 28 days at 10³ cfu/fish than the other species. These results suggested that M. marinum is the major pathogenic bacteria in sturgeon mycobacteriosis. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report on mycobacteriosis in farmed Chinese and Amur sturgeons as well as the first isolation of M. porcinum and M. arupense from fish.     

Dietary isoflavone intake and tissue concentration in cultured sturgeons

A common global trend in modern aquaculture is to reduce or replace fishmeal in fish diets with alternative protein sources, mainly from protein‐rich plants such as soybean; however, plant‐based aquafeeds are a source of substantial amounts of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens belong to endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can negatively interfere with fish reproduction; thus, they should be avoided in sturgeon diet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate concentrations and the profile of dietary isoflavone phytoestrogens in the two commercial sturgeon diets. A substantial amount of isoflavones, reaching in total from 1.5 to 50 mg/kg of feed, were found in analysed diets. Genistein and daidzein, which are typical constituents of soybean, were the most abundant phytoestrogens in the analysed feeds. Equol, the third most abundant phytoestrogen in the tested samples, was originated most probably from animal components. Additionally, the accumulation of dietary isoflavones in the liver, blood and gonads of two commonly farmed sturgeon species (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and Acipenser baerii) after long‐term dietary exposure was also assessed. Significant concentrations of isoflavones were found in liver and blood samples of both sturgeon species at 600th and 800th dph, indicating high accumulation of these compounds, which may lead to endocrine disturbance.     

The effects of every-other-day feeding on the growth performance of yearling stellate sturgeon,Acipenser stellatus

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a skip-a-day feeding regime on the growth of one-year-old sturgeon, Acipenser stellatus. Sturgeons possess a spiral valve intestine, which slows down the passage of food to longer than 24 hours, providing a scientific justification for the experiment. The experiment had a duration of 12 weeks and consisted of two treatments groups with four replicates each. One group of sturgeons (n = 120) was offered feed every day, on a continuous basis, at 2% of their body weight daily; while a second group of sturgeons (n = 120) were fed every other day, also at 2% of their body weight daily. The sturgeons had an average initial body weight of 178 ± 32 g and measured 44.6 ± 2.9 cm in total length. At the end of the experimental period, all sturgeons were alive, in good health, and no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) on growth performance indices were detected between sturgeons fed every day and every other day. The average weights and lengths of sturgeons at the end of the trial were 406 ± 96 g and 55.4 ± 4.4 cm. The results of this study suggest that yearling sturgeon may be fed every other day rather than daily. A skip-a-day feeding regime can result in feed savings for a commercial operation, help protect the natural resources such as those for making fish meal, and lessen the impact of excess nutrients in natural bodies of water.     

Biochemical characterization of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baeri and sterlet Acipenser ruthenus milt plasma and spermatozoa

This paper provides data concerning biochemical composition of milt of two sturgeon species, Siberian sturgeon bred in aquaculture facility of Inland Fisheries Institute in North Poland and sterlet (from two different populations from Danube and Odra). Milt plasma of Siberian sturgeon and sterlet, when compared to teleost fish, is characterized by much lower osmolality (up 70 to 96 mOsm kg⁻¹) and protein concentration (0.24–0.58 g l⁻¹). In spite of the presence of an acrosome and acrosin the antiproteinase activity of seminal plasma was low (12.79–25.40 U l⁻¹). Activities of arylsulfatase and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase were found in spermatozoa. This agrees with the presence of an acrosome in sturgeons sperm. Similarly to mammals, these enzymes are also present in milt plasma. We determined a range of enzymatic activities from the minimal (seminal plasma) to the maximal damage (supernatants obtained after freezing-thawing without cryoprotectant). Activities of arylsulfatase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, lactic dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase were released from spermatozoa after freezing-thawing. For this reason they are good potential candidates as a markers of cryoinjury to sperm acrosome and midpiece. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

史氏鲟、达氏鳇的资源现状与研究进展

史氏鲟（Acipenser schrencki)，达氏鳇（Huso dauricus)属鲟科鱼类，是黑龙江的主要经济鱼类之一。由于近年来过度捕捞，资源遭到一定程度的破坏。本主要通过对黑龙江某江段上的捕捞生产调查统计，评估其现有资源状况，并提出了五个方面的建议。同时介绍了我国目前对鲟鱼研究方面的进展情况。1957年黑龙江水产研究所成功地进行了史氏鲟的人工繁殖试验，以后除了五十年代和七十年代的一些调查工作外，基本上中断了对这条鱼的人工繁殖试验工作。1989年，黑龙江省国营农场总局在勤得利农场建立了第一个史氏鲟放流试验站，当年就进行了人工繁殖和放流工作。四年中，向黑龙江放流鲟鱼苗累计达107万尾。在此期间有关的科研和生产单位利用这一条件开展对鲟鱼的研究，本还介绍了正在进行的“史氏鲟活体取卵手术技术研究”、“鲟幼鱼人工饲料研究”和“人工养殖技术研究”等。     

我国鲟鱼人工养殖业状况及可持续发展策略

介绍了我国鲟鱼人工养殖的发展历史及其养殖现状,并对鲟鱼养殖当前存在的一些问题进行了探讨,主要问题是盲目扩大养殖规模、养殖规格与结构不合理、商品鱼供大于求等,目前商品鲟的市场价格仅为20～40元/kg,鲟鱼养殖几乎无利可图.主要应对措施有:(1)成立专业机构,对人工养殖鲟鱼产销实行统筹安排;(2)转变消费观念,大力开拓市场;(3)实行信息共享,提高抗风险能力;(4)调整养殖规模和养殖结构;(5)提高商品鱼规格;(6)完善产业结构,深度开发鲟鱼产品;(7)增加区域合作,开发国际市场.     

以大口黑鲈和大黄鱼配合饲料应用为例谈 改变鱼类营养和饲料研究范式

鱼类营养和饲料研究始于70年前并借鉴陆生动物营养研究经验形成了研究范式。在过去70年中,鱼类营养和饲料研究取得了大量的成果,这些研究成果推动了水产配合饲料技术的进步,为水产饲料产业从无到有、从小到大做出了贡献。然而,随着全球水产养殖规模的不断扩大,水产养殖发展面临的资源和环境压力日益增加,对水产饲料也提出了更高的要求。事实表明,根据一些鱼类营养和饲料研究成果所配方的饲料在养殖生产实践中往往不能取得预期的应用效果,这意味着在已有范式下取得的研究成果有时难以很好地满足现代鱼类养殖产业的需要。本文叙述了具有重要经济价值的两种肉食性鱼类大口黑鲈和大黄鱼配合饲料研发与应用的历程,指出对饲料蛋白需求的低估是限制配合饲料长期未能在大口黑鲈和大黄鱼养殖生产中应用的主要原因。早期研究报道大口黑鲈的饲料蛋白需求为400-440 g/kg,大黄鱼的饲料蛋白需求为450-470 g/kg。经过重新评估后将大口黑鲈和大黄鱼的最适饲料蛋白水平分别提高到480-510 g/kg和490-520 g/kg。在适宜的饲料蛋白水平下,投喂配合饲料的大口黑鲈和大黄鱼生长与投喂冰鲜鱼时相当。作者认为对饲料蛋白需求的低估与已有鱼类营养和饲料研究范式存在的不足有关,其表现为：（1）强调食物对鱼类生长的作用,但忽视了实验鱼遗传背景和食物以外的环境条件对生长和摄食的影响;（2）强调鱼类个体生长对评价营养需求和饲料质量的重要性,但忽视了鱼类个体生长差异并不能完全反映养殖产量和效益的事实;（3）强调生长和饲料利用效率作为鱼类营养和饲料研究评价指标的重要性,但忽视了养殖对环境和自然资源的负面影响是限制水产养殖产业可持续发展的瓶颈;（4）没有足够重视基础饲料配方在评价营养需求或饲料质量方面的影响,一些研究因基础饲料组成不当而产生没有实际意义的评价结果。针对上述问题,作者建议从概念、理论和研究方法方面对已有的范式做如下修改：（1）重视鱼类遗传背景和食物以外的环境条件对鱼类生长的影响,明确鱼类营养需求取决于其生长需求;（2）重视食物中各种营养素之间的相互作用,明确不同饲料原料在实现配方的营养平衡方面发挥着不同的作用;（3）重视对实验鱼种质和种群结构的选择,重视对照组和处理组个体生长差异的幅度对判断饲料处理效应的指示作用,重视饲料配方对渔业资源和环境等水产养殖可持续发展相关的内容的影响。经过修改后的研究范式更符合养殖生产实际,在此基础上开展研究所获得的成果也能够更好地指导配合饲料生产,为鱼类养殖产业的可持续发展提供更好的科技支撑。     

Restoration of sturgeons: lessons from the Caspian Sea Sturgeon Ranching Programme

Depletion of sturgeon stocks world-wide has increased interest in aquaculture-based restoration programmes. The Caspian Sea Sturgeon Ranching Programme (SRP) of the former Soviet Union represents a unique opportunity to evaluate expense, benefits and potential ecological and genetic effects of such restoration programmes. The SRP was initiated in the 1950s to compensate for lost spawning habitat in the Volga River and elsewhere. After its completion in 1962, the Volgograd Dam reduced spawning grounds in the Volga River system, the principal spawning tributary of the Caspian Sea, by ∼80%. For two of the three commercial sturgeon species (Russian sturgeon, Acipenser güldenstädti , and stellate sturgeon, A. stellatus ), yields improved after the imposition of the 1962 moratorium on sturgeon harvests in the Caspian Sea. Volga River fisheries were managed for spawning escapement. Although imprecisely known, the contribution of the millions of stocked Russian and stellate juveniles during 1962–91 was most likely important to sustaining fisheries, although less so (contributing to <30% of the adult stock) than natural recruitment. Apparently, reduced spawning grounds, supplemented with artificial spawning reefs were sufficient to support reproduction and large fishery yields of Russian and stellate sturgeons. For beluga sturgeon, Huso huso , harvests in the Volga River were nearly all dependent upon hatchery stocking. Beluga sturgeon spawning grounds were mostly eliminated with the construction of the Volgograd Dam. Without the hatchery programme, beluga sturgeon in the Volga River and Caspian Sea would in all likelihood have been extirpated. Currently, sturgeons are severely depleted in the Volga River and Caspian Sea due to poaching and lack of co-operation between countries exploiting the species. Aquaculture-based restoration in Russia is now viewed a chief means of rebuilding stocks of Caspian Sea sturgeons.