Evaluation of the effects of temperature conditions on spermatogenesis and production characteristics of Siberian sturgeon at different types of fish farms
Authors:   Laboratory of Sturgeon Breeding and Acclimatization, Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia, Melchenkov Evgeny Alekseevich , Ilyasova Vera Aleksandrovna ,   Laboratory of Sturgeon Breeding and Acclimatization, Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia, Kalmykova Vera Veniaminovna ,   Laboratory of Sturgeon Breeding and Acclimatization, Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia, Vorob’yov Aleksandr Pavlovich ,   Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia, Kozovkova Nadezhda Aleksandrovna ,   Laboratory of Sturgeon Breeding and Acclimatization, Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia, Archibasov Arthur Alekseevich ,   Laboratory of Sturgeon Breeding and Acclimatization, Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia, Antipina Yliia Anatol’evna ,   ranch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIRO” (VNIIPRH), Russia
Published: June 2022

Issues related to temperature conditions of housing on spermatogenesis and production characteristics of newly developing males of Siberian sturgeon at different types of fish farms. Histological pattern of spermatozoa development at the stage of spermatogenesis has been evaluated. The study was performed at the Konakovo Division Industrial Site of the Branch for the freshwater fisheries of “VNIRO” (VNIIPRKH). At the initial phase of the study the assessment of sexual maturity of genital glands of male Siberian sturgeon in the autumn season was performed by ultrasound on the Samsung Medison SonoAce R3 apparatus. Subsequently, reference biopsy samples of reproductive products for histology tests were obtained. Selected and electronically tagged males were assigned into two study groups and kept in two fish farming pools with different temperature conditions. Histology of testes has shown that the reproductive system is at the prespawning condition. The quality of reproductive products (ejaculate) was evaluated by total volume, relative fertility, sperm concentration, by motility and also by score. It was established that the interval for potential production of qualitative reproductive products may range from 213 days at low temperatures with the total sum of the warmth of 1168.6 degree-days in direct flow pools to 136 days with the total sum of the warmth of 1480.0 degree-days. Keeping fish at low temperatures (4–6 °С) helps to prolong the process of spermatogenesis by 77 days. Therefore, at industrial fishery setting, particularly in RAS, with water temperatures durably kept optimal for spawning, it is possible to grow sturgeon males to spawning condition within the required time period. Obtained knowledge on the peculiarities of reproductive system development in male Siberian sturgeon will allow to improve the technology of spermatogenesis management at the industrial fishery setting, which will enable obtaining reproductive products of high fish quality at the required timeframes.