Effects of dietary isoflavone-genistein on hematological and immunological parameters in pre-brood stock beluga, Huso huso

This study was carried out with the aim of detecting the dietary effects of isoflavone-genistein on hematological and immunological parameters in beluga, Huso huso in a 12-week feeding period. Five isonitrogenous (45% crude protein) and isoenergetic (19.5 MJ kg^-1) diets were formulated to contain four graded levels of isoflavone-genistein, namely 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g kg^-1 diet. Fish (initial average weight: 26.1 ± 1.8 kg) were stocked in ponds in groups of 3 and fed the experimental diets in triplicate. At the end of experiment, physiological indicators, including hematological and immunological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte, haematological indices, lysozyme, total immunoglobulin (IgM) and complementary activities were determined. Results suggested that mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and values of neutrophil had significant differences between treatments. The activities of serum lysozyme, IgM, C3 and C4 were significantly influenced by the dietary genistein concentrations. Results indicated that genistein had significant effects on some hematological and immunological parameters in beluga

Impact of anesthesia on some of physiological parameters in Acipenser nudiventris

Impact of anesthesia with electric shock on some of physiological parameters was studied in in Acipenser nudiventris in this study, we investigated the induction and recovery times and physiological response of Acipenser nudiventris. We anesthetized them by CO2 (mmhg), clove powder (mg/L), and electric shock (V). Shortest and longest induction time were 0.15 min and 4.25 min when electric shock and clove powder were used. On the other hand, shortest and longest time of recovery time were 3.23 min and 2. 20 min respectively when electric shock and CO2 gas were used. Cortisol and glucose levels increased 1 and 6 hours after anesthesia. Changes in plasma osmolality were less among the anesthesia treatments. Results demonstrated that electric shock was a more effective method for quick induction time, although all anesthetic methods were found to be safe

Biotechnic of brood stocking, artificial propagation and some physiological indices in farmed Acipenser nudiventris

This study was conducted on farmed Acipenser nudiventris at the International Sturgeon Research Institute from the winter of 2007 till summer 2010. A total of 11 farmed A. nudiventris specimens (7 male and 4 female) were stocked in groups of 4 fish in eight fiberglass tanks (4 tons capacity) on the basis of their sex. Males were fed with a diet with no soybean but containing vitamins. Females were fed with a diet containing soybean and vitamins with 38-40% protein, 13-15% fat, 19.5-20Mj/kg energy, respectively. GnRH was used for artificial propagation of Acipenser nudiventris brood stocks twice for females (dose 10µg/kg with 80:20 ration) and during one occasion for males with a dose of 20 µg/kg. The results of the study indicated that food composition (soybean and vitamins C and E) played a significant and positive role in the reproduction system for females. No significant effect of treatment was observed in Testosterone levels between mature (Mean ±SD: 60.6±8.07ng/ml) and immature (24.42±4.87ng/ml) males, Likewise, no significant differences were found in17α-Hydroxy Progestrone for female (Mean ±SD: 0.106±0.019ng/ml) and for immature fishes (0.031±0.006ng/ml) significant differences was detected in the concentration of Albomine (1.54±0.05mg/dl for females and 1.35±0.07mg/dl for immature females), but there were no significant differences in other biochemical parameters including Glocose, Cortisol, Chlosterole and Triglisride in males and females. There were no significant differences in total weight and length, WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCH, MCHC and MCV parameters in males and females. This study is a step forward towards the development of artificial breeding and rearing sturgeon fish in the country

New food diet formulation for rearing and propagation in white worm (Enchytraeus albidus Henle, 1837)

In this study, 4 different food diets were examined for feeding white worm (Enchytraeus albidus Henle, 1837) which is used as the most important live food for fingerlings sturgeons were studied. Results showed that suitable moisture for growth and development of white worm was 50 - 70 % that their biomass reached to a 675 g/m^2 during 90 days. But it decreased significantly at moisture lower than 45 % and upper than 65 %. White worm had similar growth both in acidic and basic area. White worm biomass reached to 576g/m^2 during 90 days in basic area but reached to 568 g/m^2 in acidic that was maximum at pH 6.4 - 7.6, while its growth decreases at pH lower than 6 and higher than 8. In this study, Azola used as food for white worm in amount of 60%, wheat meal 25%, and wheat bran 15% that caused to more growth in worms and their biomass reached to 533 g/m^2 during 90 days. Although biomass of worm fed with mixture of potato 30%, carrot 3%, wheat meal 25% and wheat bran 15% reached to 584 g/m^2 , but biomass of worms were fed with mixture of potato 60%, wheat meal 25%, and wheat bran 15% reached to 576 during 90 days. Economically, cost production of Azola was lower in comparison to other diets. Biochemical decomposition of worms fed with mixture of Azola, wheat meal and wheat bran showed more protein (33 %) than others. Based on results Azola can be used as a suitable and commercial replacement for white worm food diets

Classification of sex and maturity stages of farmed great sturgeon (Huso huso) using blood plasma steroid hormone and calcium ion levels

Twenty four farmed great sturgeon, Huso huso (including 8 males and 16 females) over 6 years old were used to develop a method for determination of sex and maturity stages. Seasonal gonadal tissue and blood samples were collected from farmed great sturgeon for three years. The sex and stages of maturity were determined by histology and laparoscopy at the beginning and end of experiment. Plasma sex steroid hormone levels [testosterone (T), 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P)] were measured by radioimmunoassay, and plasma calcium ion levels were measured by spectrophotometer. Mean concentrations of testosterone, progesterone and estradiol in blood plasma of H. huso at maturity stages II, III and IV were 10.86±1.63, 54.14±3.1, 112.41±7.4; 0.84±0.12, 15.66±2.18, 50.75±3.63 ng/ml in males and 9.0±1.39, 6.51± 0.64, 2.95±2.29, 5.45±0.29, 9.47±0.97 and 4.15±0.7 ng/ml in females, respectively. Testosterone and estradiol levels showed significant differences at various stages. Calcium level at stages II, III and IV of sexual maturity in females (8.05 ± 0.09, 10.4 ± 0.34 and 9.6 ± 0.6 mg/dl) was more than males (7.73 ± 0.16, 8.58 ± 0.13 and 8.76 ± 0.11 mg/dl). Results showed that steroid hormone concentration and calcium level of blood plasma in males and females vary between different stages of sexual maturity. Therefore it can be used to determine the stages of sexual maturity in farmed H. huso

Study on the propagation possibility in reared great sturgeon, Huso huso by GnRH synthetic hormone for production of fingerling

This study was carried out in the International Sturgeon Research Institute of Dr. Dadman during 2007–2011. A total of 24 beluga 7- year – old (Huso huso) including 8 males and 16 females were selected after morphological assay, biopsy and sexing based on histological routine methods and then stocked separately based on sex in 3 concrete circled ponds (with 4m diameter, 1.5 depth) an were fed by diet include 38–40 % protein, 13–15 % fat, 19.5 – 20 Mg/kg energy and 2-3 % different kind of vitamins and minerals produced by mentioned institute. Bleeding was carried out in order to separating serum for study on biochemical and hormonal parameters. The GnRH hormone was injected to fishes at two stages each 12 hours after GV detection, evaluation of sexual hormone levels and water temperature. Females were injected at two stages each 6 hours with ration 20% to 80 % and concentration of 10 µg/kg of fish body weight. Males were injected by GnRH for one time according with the second injection in females with concentration 20 µg/kg of fish body weight. Obtaining of eggs was carried out by micro incision of oviduct without killing fish. Mean concentration of Glucose showed no significance different at stages II and III, but showed significance different at stage IVof sexual maturation stages (P<0.05). Cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipid levels of males and females blood serum were changed significantly from stage II to stage IV and in different seasons (P<0.05). Calcium level of blood serum was different at various sexual maturity stages in males and females and was more in females than males at each stage. So that showed significant difference at stage III between them. Sodium ion showed no significant difference in males and females at each condition. Mean concentration of testosterone (T) in males and females at stages II, III and IV was 10.86 ± 1.63, 0.84 ± 0.12, 54.14 ± 3.1, 15.66 ± 2.18, 112.41 ± 7.4 and 50.75 ± 3.63 ng/ml respectively, that showed significant difference with each other and at different sexual maturity stages (P<0.05), that reached to a maxim in males at stage III and IV in Autumn and in females at stages II and III in Winter. But, at stage IV, it was similar to males. Testosterone levels at all stages in males was more than females. Mean concentration of progesterone level in males and females at stages II, III and IV was 0.5±0.01, 0.5±0.00, 0.5±0.08, 0.11±0.02, 0.36±0.04 and 0.19±0.03 ng/ml respectively, that showed significant difference at stage III. But showed similar results in males and females seasonally. Estradiol (E2) level in males and females at stages II, III and IV was 9±1.39, 5.45±0.29, 6.51±0.64, 9.47±0.97, 2.95±2.29 and 4.15±0.7 ng/ml, respectively that showed significant difference in males and females at different stages (P<0.05). Results showed that by good management and using endocrinology sciences (such as biochemical and hormonal indices), we can produce breeders with having good quality eggs and sperms for artificial propagation by using micro incision of oviduct method in order to without killing them (for several time breeding), caviar and farmed larvae and fry. Results also showed that Testosterone (T), Estradiol and Calcium were the most important detective indices for sexual maturity and the accurate time of synthetic hormone injection for artificial breeding. Testosterone (T) level limit in males and females for positive reply to artificial propagation was 90–120 and 40–60 ng/ml, respectively. By using the obtained results, we can reduce rearing cost of Huso huso, because the decrease of sexual maturity duration, increase of propagation recruitment, decrease of pressure to natural sources and help to restocking, commercializing of it for improvement of sturgeon rearing and propagation in order to caviar and fry production