Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T07:19:23.108Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Ovarian development and cycles in cultured Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baeri

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 1998

Patrick Williot
Affiliation:
Cemagref, Ressources aquatiques continentales, 50 avenue de Verdun, 33612 Cestas cedex, France
Rémy Brun
Affiliation:
Cemagref, Ressources aquatiques continentales, 50 avenue de Verdun, 33612 Cestas cedex, France
Get access

Abstract

Sturgeon lack external sexual dimorphism and have longer-than-annual ovarian cycles. Using gonadal biopsy of marked fish, we identified sex and monitored ovarian development in one cohort of cultured Siberian sturgeon over the age interval 8.5-12.5 year. Sex ratio in the population did not differ from 1:1 (268 females and 286 males). Each November, the females were separated into two groups: one with ovarian follicle diameter ≥ 2.8 mm (Group 2, spawnable) and another with smaller follicles in previtellogenic or vitellogenic growth (Group 1). During the 5 year period of observations, 11.2 % of the initial 268 females were lost. The oocytes of Group 2 exhibited migratory germinal vesicle but its position in animal hemisphere was not peripheral in November. The annual changes in proportions of Group 2 females, from 34.6 to 63.3 %, reflected ovarian cycles of different duration. Majority of 196 females, matured two or more times during a period of study, exhibited biennial ovarian cycle or recurring cycles of 1 and 2 years in the same individual. Annual and triennial cycles were also observed. Some abnormalities in oocyte pigmentation are described.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Elsevier, IRD, Inra, Ifremer, Cemagref, CNRS, 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)