Effects of Pediococcus pentosaceus as a probiotic on intestinal microbiota and body composition of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869

An eight-week experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary Pediococcus pentosaceus as probiotic on the body composition and gut microbiota of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii. A total of 180 fish with mean body weight of 143±0.01g were randomly distributed into 12 200L fiberglass tanks as four treatments with three replicates, including groups fed with diet containing 2×107, 2×108 and 2×109 CFU g-1 of P. pentosaceus and probiotic-free as control group. Body composition of treatment groups was not influenced by P. pentosaceus except for fat and moisture. The bacteria had a significant colonization in the intestine of fish fed with supplemented diet with P. pentosaceus. High level of acid lactic bacterial load was found in the treatment fed with highest amount of the probiotic i.e. 2×109 CFU g-1. The results showed that application of P. pentosaceus has positive effect on the body composition and intestinal microflora of the A. baerii

Identification and abundance of fungal flora in egg, and larvae of Acipenser persicus in Shahid Beheshti Sturgeon Rearing Center (2007)

Fungal flora in egg, yolk sac larvae and larvae of Acipenser persicus were identified and studied. Totally, 270 specimens from Shahid Beheshti Sturgeon Rearing Center were examined. A heterogeneous solution from samples was prepared and inoculated on culture media SDA+C and CMA+C in lines under sterile conditions. Wet mounts were prepared for the identification of Saprolegnia sp. and the inoculants were cultured on culture media GP containing gentamycin and chloramphenicol. We found Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Yeast, Mucor sp., Aspergillus niger and Paecilomuces on egg samples in order of frequency and in water samples we observed Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Yeast, Mucor sp., Aspergillus niger, and Paecilomyces. Fungal species identified in yolk sac larvae included Penicilliium sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Yeast and in water samples we found Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Yeast, while in larvae we saw Cladosporium sp., Penicilliium sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergilus fumigatus, Yeast and Mucor spp. In water samples containing larvae we were able to identify Cladosporium sp., Penicilliium sp., Fusarium sp., Yeast and Aspergilus niger. Fungal species such as Cladosporium sp., Penicillium, Fusarium, Yeast and Saprolegnia were detected in all four sampling mediums. T-test indicated no significant differences in total counts (colonies/2 plates in all samples) in eggs (15.08 ±3.51 colony forming unit; CFU) and in water (15.91± 2.63) samples. However, t-test indicated significant differences in total counts in yolk sac larvae (5.33 ±1.05) and in water (11.77 ±2.39) samples. T-test showed no significant differences in total counts of larvae (32 ±12.46) and water (31.11 ±12.79) samples

Comparative study on bacterial flora of the intestine in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerlings reared in fiberglass tanks and earthen ponds

In this study, random sampling conducted and 90 individuals of Persian sturgeon having 3-5g weight, collected by trawling in 3 earthen ponds and 15 individuals having 10-20g weight, collected by small net in 3 fiberglass Vans. After recording of biometrical characteristics, the intestine and rearing water were cultured on TSA medium. Gram staining and complementary tests were conducted. In order to identify the bacterial species, various biochemical experiments and diagnosis kit of API 20E (special for gram negative bacteria) applied. According to biometrical recording, in earthen ponds, the mean weight and length of juveniles were 5.59±3.18 and 11.4±2.9, respectively. The results showed that the mean facultative aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in intestine were 5.59±0.92 (log CFU g ^-1 ) and 6.67±0.34 (log CFU Ml ^-1 ) in Acipenser persicus juveniles and rearing water, respectively.Furthermore, the following bacteria determined in intestine of Persian sturgeon: Aeromonas sp., A.sorbia, A.hydrophyla, Entrobacteriaceae and Corynebacterium. The bacteria in the rearing water were Aeromonas sp. and A.soberia. According to biometrical recording, in fiberglass Vans, the mean weight and length of juveniles were 12.13±2.51g and 15.11±1.13 cm, respectively. The results showed that the mean facultative aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in intestine were 4.77±0.04 (Log CFU g^ -1 ) and 4.81±1 (Log CFU mL^ -1 ) in A. persicus juveniles and rearing water, respectively. Furthermore, the following bacteria determined in intestine of Persian sturgeon:Aeromonas sp., Micrococcus, Staphylococcus. The bacteria in the rearing water were Aeromonas soberia, Acinetobacter,Moraxella, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus

Parasitic infection among larvae and fingerlings of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in Vniro tanks and earthen ponds

This study was conducted in two phases on sturgeon larvae and fingerlings produced from artificial breeding of five pairs of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) broodstocks in Shahid Beheshti Hatchery in spring and summer 2006. Initially, 600 larvae were collected on 3 post days hatching (pdh) and 5 days after the onset of exogenous feeding. The second phase was conducted with 450 specimens collected from five earthen ponds, which included 150 larvae collected one week after stocking, 150 fingerlings collected 20 days after stocking and 150 fingerlings collected at the time of their release into rivers. No parasite was observed in the sturgeon larvae on day 3 pdh and 5 days after the onset of exogenous feeding. However Trichodina reticulata were observed in the larvae in the first week (prevalence = 10 - 20%) and also in the fingerlings (prevalence = 10 - 46.67%) 20 days after they were transferred to the earthen ponds. At the time of their release into the river, in addition to T. reticulata (prevalence = 13.33 – 100%) a digenean trematode, Diplostomum spathaceum, (prevalence = 6.67 - 30%) was also observed in the sturgeon fingerlings. It is evident from the present study that Trichodina and Diplostomum infection occurs after fingerlings are released into the earthen ponds and gradually increases with the progress in the rearing period. Increase in prevalence of Trichodina infection through the rearing period can be explained by the increase in water temperature and increase in dissolved organic matter in the ponds which provide the desirable conditions for the propagation of this unicellular ciliate. Significant differences were observed in the mean intensity of T. reticulata infection in sturgeon fingerlings during different stages of rearing into earthen ponds (P<0.05)

Effects of oral administration of Zataria multiflora essential oil on some blood and serum parameters in Acipenser persicus

In order to does this study, 150 Persian sturgeons having 75g mean weight transferred to 500 liter tanks. After dividing the fishes into two groups (experimental and control), the fingerlings fed by concentrate food that contained different levels of Zataria multiflora essential oil (15, 25, 50, 100 g/kg) for 8 weeks. Finally, sampling carried out on blood and serum of fishes. After preparing the samples based on standard methods, hematology and serology studies, performed. The results showed significant difference in mean of monocytes between experimental and control groups (P0.05), but there is significant difference in mean and standard deviation of albumin. So that, the average in treatments 15 and 25g/kg and control group was more than treatments 50 and 100g/kg of Zataria multiflora essential oil

Effects of Echinacea purpurea and Allium sativum powdered extracts on growth indices, survival rate and liver enzymes in farmed Huso huso

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of two types of powdered extract Echinacea purpurea and Allium sativum on growth indices and survival rate of Huso huso during a two-month period. For this purpose, 210 juvenile with an average weight of 27.74 ± 0.26 g were randomly placed in 21 half-ton fiberglass tanks in seven different treatments with three replications, including a control group and three experimental groups of different amounts of E. purpurea powder extract (T1, T2 and T3: 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg-1) and three experimental groups of different amounts of garlic powder extract (T4, T5 and T6: 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg-1). At the end of the experiment, a statistically significant difference was observed between the treatments in the mean final weight, mean final length, final biomass, final production, fish weight gain, mean daily growth, body weight gain increase, specific growth rate and daily growth rate (p0.05). The results showed that addition of 1000 mg turmeric powder extract per kg of food is more effective in improving growth indices

Prevalence of infection of Acipenser persicus broodstocks with internal parasites in the south-west Caspian Sea

A survey of parasitological infections of Acipenseridae fishes in the southern parts of the Caspian Sea were done from 2002 to 2004. Altogether, 338 brood stocks of Acipenser persicus were examined. In the laboratory, the weight and length of the fishes were measured and after dissection presence of different parasites in the fish was examined. According to the results of this study, during three years of examinations, six different parasites were detected. These parasites were Cucullanus sphaerocephalus, Skrjabinopsolus semiarmatus, Eubothrium acipenseinum, Corynosoma strumosom, Leptorhynchoides plagicephalus, and Amphilina foliaceae. The prevalence and mean intensity of infection with Gusullanus sphaerocephalus and Skrjabinopolus semiarmattim were the most

Study on the prevalence and intensity of three parasites in sturgeon fingerlings cultured in earthen ponds

In 2001, we studied 2600 sturgeon fingerlings including: 2242 Acipenser persicus, 150 Acipenser stellatus, 150 Acipenser nudiventris and 58 Huso huso from Shahid Beheshti and Yousefpour hatcheries for parasitic infection. We found three parasites including Diplostomum spathaceum, Trichodina sp. and Gyrodactylus sp infesting the fish. The prevalence and average intensity of Diplostomum spathaceum was 5.49% and 1.66 for Acipenser persicus, 0.66% and I for Acipenser stellatus and, 22.41% and 5.38, for Huso huso fingerlings respectively. No Diplostomum infection was observed in Acipenser nudiventris. The prevalence and average infection intensity of Trichodina sp. was 45.05% and 76.14 for Acipenser persicus, 44% and 51.36 for Acipenser stellatus, 36% and 63.51 for Acipenser nudiventris, and 32.76% and 34.73 for Huso huso fingerlings, respectively. Totally, the prevalence of Gyrodactylus sp. was 0.46% in the two hatcheries. The prevalence of infection with Gyrodactylus sp. was 0.36% in Acipenser persicus and 2.66% in Acipenser stellatus

Effects of dietary specific probiotics on some growth and immunity indices, hepatic enzymes and intestinal bacterial flora of reared Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus fingerlings

This study was carried out to increase production efficiency of Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus fingerlings. In this experiment, 600 pieces of Persian sturgeonfingerlings (10.76 ± 0.74 g in weight and 14.49 ± 0.7 cm in total length) in four treatments were introduced into twelve fiberglass tanks with 300-L water capacity for 60 days. The treatments were fed with diets containing 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg of four bacterial strains including  Lactococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella cibaria and Enterococcus faecalis powder per kg pelleted diets to make certain concentrations including 0 (T1),  1.5 × 109 (T2), 3 × 109 (T3) and 4.5 × 109 CFU/g (T4). The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth indices in different treatments (p>0.05). However, the maximum and minimum mean final weights were observed in T2 and T1, respectively. The  minimum and maximum values of liver enzymatic indices, LDH, IgM, lysozyme activity and the number of colonial intestine bacterial flora were observed in T2 and T1, respectively, significantly different from the other treatments (p<0.05). The maximum and minimum number of intestinal lactic acid (probiotic) bacteria were also found in T2 and T4, respectively, significantly different from the others (p<0.05). In spite of the fact that a probiotic-supplemented diet could not exhibit a significant effect on growth indices of the Persian sturgeon fingerlings at the weight range of 10-60 g, however, those containing 1.5 × 109 CFU/g (T2), significantly enhanced the immunity, enzymatic and bacterial flora of the intestine

Survey on health status of cage-culture sturgeon fishes in the Caspian Sea

Considering the significance of sturgeon rearing and producing the meat and caviar which are one of the most development programs in aquaculture, it is necessary to investigate on hygiene condition of rearing environment to gather information about current rearing condition and to adopt the best method for prevention of disease and treatment in sturgeons. This study carried out on 3000 species of farmed Huso huso, before and after transferring to cage, during 7 months from 2011.6.7 to 2012.1.10. Before introducing stock to cage, 100 fingerlings randomly selected and no signs of disease observed. Study on parasites showed that before releasing of fingerlings, Trichodina Sp. found in gill and skin with 40% frequency and mean intensity of 20±1.71. During study in sea environment, no parasites observed in gill, skin and gut. Bacterial investigation showed that total bacteria in rearing water of concert tanks, fish gills and skin is 5.80-5.84 Log cfu ml^-1, 3.28-3.41cfug^-1 and 5.36- 5.58 cfu (cm^2 ) -1. The range of bacterial count in water of sea environment, skin and gill was 3.97-5.92 Log cfu ml^-1, 3.74-5.41 cfu (cm^2 ) -1 and 2.01-3.40 cfug^-1, respectively. Before and after releasing, the bacteria isolated from fish and rearing water include Enterobacteriaceae, Aeromonas sp., Pseodomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Staphylococcus, Halomunas sp. and Shewanella sp. Furthermore, in fungal examinations, the total fungi in rearing water of concert tanks, gill and skin of fingerlings was 12.66-18 cfu ml-1, 2.66-4 cfug-1,5.33-8.66 cfu(cm^2 ) -1, respectively. Fungal count in rearing water of sea environment was 22-52.5 ml^-1. It was 13- 35.41(cm^2 ) -1 and 8-23.50 cfug-1 in skin and gill. The fungal flora that isolated from the fish and rearing water, were Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., Aspergilus sp. and Yeasts before and after releasing. Some factors of fish blood serum such as total protein, albumin, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, magnesium and calcium of the sea water and freshwater determined and compared. In sea water and fresh water farming conditions, the mean RBC (1102500 ,1067500), WBC (24916.67 , 20625) and White blood cell differential count including Neutrophils (19.41 , 21.25 ), Eosinophils (5.08 ,4) Lymphocytes (72.75, 71.25 ) and Monocytes (2.75 , 3.5) were determined. As well as Hematocrit (20.17, 23.75), Hemoglobin (4.34, 4.27), MCV (783.06, 22.79), MCH (39.42, 39.43) and MCHC (21.69, 17.77) Calculated. The fish blood serum factors including Total protein (1.80, 2.89), Albumin (0.55, 7.89), Cholesterol (70.16, 76.92), Triglyceride (615.74, 330.04), Glucose (64.32, 51.90), Magnesium (9.12, 9.51) and Calcium (5.37, 14.84) were determined and compared in sea water and fresh water, respectively. According to results, significant differences observed in albumin and calcium rate in fishes of freshwater and triglyceride in fishes of sea water (P<0.05). Moreover, the mentioned serum factors, showed significant differences during various months (P<0.05). Examination of 240 fishes showed 10.41% of them had hemorrhage in scutes. Also, investigation on internal organs in reared fish after autopsy showed 40% of them had degeneration of fatty liver. Generally, despite occurrence of some skin sores and fatty liver in the sampled fishes, no infectious disease that led to mortality have not been observed and the fishes which reared in cage had relatively satisfactory health condition