Primordial gonocytes (PGCs) in some animals, including fish arise after fertilization in extragonadal region from maternally inherited germline cytoplasm, and migrate to the future gonads region during embryogenesis, where differentiate into gametes. PGCs formation and migration patterns have been studied in several species models, and it is known that these patterns differ from each other. Sturgeons belong to class ray-finned fishes(Actinoptergii), in which the sturgeon phylogenetic position is an out-group to teleost fishes, the sturgeon development pattern is more similar to amphibians than teleost fishes. In this study, we demonstrate an injection technique for sturgeon PGCs visualization by GFP nos1 3'UTR mRNA. We found that the Sterlet(A. ruthenus) PGCs are specified in the vegetative pole of the embryo. Subsequently, we reported the PGCs migration route. The arisen PGCs actively migrated on the yolky cell mass, yolky extension, and after that passively moved to gonadal ridge. This study provides evidence that the PGCsare specified by maternally inherited germplasm, located in the vegetative part of the embryo. Sturgeon PGCs specification was similar to that of anuras, but the migration pattern resembled that of teleost. Furthermore, we successfully isolated PGCs to next needed studies.

Afin de repeupler la mer Caspienne, la propagation artificielle de l’esturgeon Acipenser persicus est maintenant une pratique courante avec rejets annuels de juvéniles directement en mer. Cependant, une forte mortalité est régulièrement observée suite à la libération directe en mer de juvéniles pesant 2-3 g. L'objectif a donc été d'analyser les capacités d’acclimatation de juvéniles de l’eau douce à l’eau saumâtre et d'identifier un moyen possible d’améliorer les taux de survie d’esturgeons de moins de 3 g.Dans une première partie, l'effet de transferts abruptes ou progressifs sur 5 jours de l'eau douce (ED) à une salinité de 11‰ (salinité de la mer Caspienne, CSW) a été étudié chez des juvéniles de 1 à 2 g, 2 à 3 g et de 3 à 5 g. Ont été mesurés les taux de mortalité, l'osmolalité plasmatique, l’expression et la localisation (branchies, reins, valvule spiralée, caecum pylorique) des principales protéines de transport : la Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA), la H+-ATPase vacuolaire (VHA), le Na+, K+, 2Cl- (NKCC) et la ‘Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator’ (CFTR). Une étude des changements d'expression génique et protéique de la NKA au niveau des branchies a également été effectuée. Enfin, une étude ultrastructurale (TEM et SEM) des cellules à chlorure branchiales a été effectuée.Dans une deuxième partie, un traitement hormonal avec le cortisol a été effectué afin d’améliorer la capacité d'acclimatation. Des juvéniles de moins de 2g ont été traités pendant 24h en ED avec des bains de cortisol à 3 concentrations différentes : 3, 5 et 7 mg.l-1. Les poissons ont été ensuite directement transférés de l'eau douce à la CSW et échantillonnés après 1, 4 et 9 jours après transfert en CSW. Les taux de mortalité, l'osmolalité plasmatique, le nombre et l’aire des cellules à chlorure des branchies ont été évalués.Ainsi, les poissons de plus de 3 g sont capables de survivre et s’acclimatent à la CSW. Malgré une augmentation initiale de l'osmolalité plasmatique après transfert de salinité, les juvéniles réduisent ensuite leur osmolalité plasmatique jusqu'à la pression osmotique de la mer Caspienne. Cependant, beaucoup de poissons de moins de 3 g ne peuvent survivre à l’augmentation brutale de salinité et la pression osmotique du sang des poissons survivants reste élevée. L’expression de la NKA et du NKCC, la taille et le nombre des cellules à chlorure des branchies sont également plus élevés. Les juvéniles pesants plus de 2 g augmentent aussi fortement leur activité de NKA branchiale après transfert de salinité. L'étude ultrastucturale a révélé des surfaces apicales similaires pour les cellules à chlorure branchiales des poissons en ED et acclimatés à la CSW. Le cytoplasme de ces cellules dans les poissons pesant plus de 2 g apparait plus dense et gonflé par rapport aux poissons pesant moins de 2 g. Cela pourrait être dû à l'allongement des replis de la membrane basale (réseau tubulo-vésiculaire) et/ou à une densité plus élevée des mitochondries. L’expression branchiale du gène NKA des poissons acclimatés à la CSW est apparue d'abord sur- puis sous-exprimée 4 jours après le transfert de salinité pour atteindre le niveau des poissons en ED. Au niveau intestinal et des reins, aucune différence n'a pu être détectée entre les différents groupes de poids suite au transfert de salinité. Malgré une osmolarité plasmatique réduite, le nombre et la taille des cellules à chlorure des poissons traités avec le cortisol montrent 9 jours après transfert, les mêmes tendances que celles observées pour les poissons non traités.Ainsi, cette étude a révélé que seuls les esturgeons juvéniles de plus de 3 g peuvent être directement rejetés en mer Caspienne. Pour les poissons de 2-3 g, un protocole spécial pendant le transfert de salinité doit être considéré alors que les poissons pesant moins de 2 g ne peuvent tolérer une augmentation de salinité même après un traitement au cortisol. / For restocking purposes, artificial propagation of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and annual releases into the Caspian Sea are now common practice. However, high mortality is regularly observed following the direct release of 2-3 g juveniles into the Caspian Sea. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyse the acclamatory capacities of juvenile Persian sturgeons to elevated salinity and to identify a possible way to improve survival rates of juveniles weighting less than 3 grams.In the first part of this study, the effect of abrupt and 5-day gradual salinity transfers from freshwater (FW) to 11‰ Caspian Sea water (CSW) were investigated in juvenile Persian sturgeons with three different weight groups: 1-2 g (1.62 ± 0.27 g), 2-3 g (2.55 ± 0.41 g) and 3-5 g (4.28 ± 0.76 g). Daily mortality rates, plasma osmolality, immunofluorescence localization of the main ion transporter proteins such as Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA), Vacuolar H+-ATPase (VHA), Na+,K+,2Cl–(NKCC) and Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) at the gill, kidney, pyloric caecum and intestinal spiral valve levels, ultrastructural studies (TEM and SEM) of the gills for chloride cell changes and changes of branchial NKA gene and protein expression were measured 4 and 10 days after abrupt transfer to CSW and 9 and 15 days after the initial gradual transfer (i.e. 4 and 10 days after reaching CSW), respectively.In the second part of study, hormonal treatment with cortisol was used to enhance the acclimation capability of fish weighing less than 2g. Fish were treated with a cortisol bathing method using three different concentrations; 3, 5 and 7 mg.l-1 for 24 hours in FW. Fish were then directly transferred from FW to CSW (11‰) and sampled after 1, 4 and 9 days post-transfer to CSW. Daily mortality rate, plasma osmolality and branchial chloride cell number and area were evaluated.The obtained results showed that fish weighing more than 3g are able to survive and could successfully acclimate to CSW. Despite initial plasma osmolality increase after salinity transfer, juveniles could reduce their plasma osmolality down to the CSW osmotic pressure after 15 days of acclimation in CSW. However, fish under 3 g could not survive abrupt salinity increase, and blood osmotic pressure of the remaining surviving fish increased and remained elevated during the whole experimental period. At the gill level, higher chloride cell size and number, with also higher NKA and NKCC content were observed allowing juveniles weighing more than 2 g to sharply increase their NKA activity after salinity transfer. The electron microscopic study revealed similar apical surfaces for branchial chloride cells in FW and CSW-acclimated fish. It also indicated that the cytoplasm of these cells in fish weighing more than 2 g were denser and inflated compared to fish weighing less than 2 g. This could be due to the elongation of the basal membrane infoldings (tubulo-vesicular network) and/or a higher density of mitochondria. Because sequences of NKA and NKCC1 genes were not reported for sturgeon fish, two partial sequences of NKA (632 bp) and NKCC1 (538 bp) were obtained from this present study and were registered in Genbank. Branchial NKA gene of CSW-acclimated fish was firstly upregulated and then downregulated to the level for FW fish after 4 days following salinity transfer. At the kidney and intestinal level, no difference could be detected between the different weight groups during salinity transfer. Despite lower plasma osmolality, number and size of the chloride cells in treated fish with cortisol show the same trends as the untreated control fish after 9-days post transfer. Consequently, this study revealed that only Persian sturgeon juveniles weighing more than 3 g can directly be released into the Caspian Sea. Fish weighting 2-3 g need special care during salinity transfer and fish weighing less than 2 g cannot tolerate Caspian Sea salinity even after cortisol treatment.

This thesis is aimed to compare 4n sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) and 8n and 12n siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) sperm. Relative quantitative values and % of live spermatozoa as a qualitative factor have been compared between species. At the same time influences of four different types of substances (CPE, Ovopel, GnRHa25 and GnRHa75) on sperm quality were compared.

Die Studie enthält zwei Berichte. Rümmler, Heidrich und Pfeifer berichten über die kombinierte Satzkarpfen-Edelfischaufzucht in geschlossenen Kreislaufanlagen. Im zweiten Bericht referieren die Autoren Heidrich, Wedekind und Pfeifer über Optimierung biologischer und technologischer Parameter für die Aufzucht von Stören in geschlossenen Kreislaufanlagen.

The effects of water and dietary influence, and time duration for discernment, of pectoral fin spine 87Sr/86Sr were evaluated in Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus. Fish were subjected to 87Sr-enriched water (0.1 mg/L) or diet (0.25 migrogram/g or 0.5 microgram/g) for 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12 weeks. Fish were also held at 15 or 25°C to determine if temperature influenced 87Sr/86Sr. Results found fin spine 87Sr/86Sr changed in water after 1 week and diet after 12 weeks suggesting water is the primary influence. In wild Gulf Sturgeon A. o. desotoi, spot ablations closest to the fin spine core separated fish into four 87Sr/86Sr groups (0.7110, 0.7105, 0.7100, and 0.7906) for both the Pascagoula and Pearl Rivers from 2016-2021. In the Pearl River system, 87.5% of fish (pre-first annuli) had stable 87Sr/86Sr indicating minimal movement, whereas decreasing 87Sr/86Sr in the second and third growth zones indicated downriver movement towards estuaries.

No description available.

In this thesis the enriched stable isotope marking technique was examined to determine its validity and effectiveness in marking of Lake Sturgeon fin rays. The enriched stable isotope marking technique uses stable isotopes of elements that replace calcium in boney tissue, which are fixed in nature, however in laboratory settings can be easily manipulated. Manipulated ratios of naturally occurring isotopes can be determined from a small sample of the fin ray, thus allowing for the discrimination of fish stocks. Further, the thesis examined the underlying assumptions for strontium and barium into the Lake Sturgeon. For the marking technique to work, strontium and barium must be taken up from the environment and accumulated long-term in boney tissue. Net flux and tissue retention of strontium is reported and the research has demonstrated that enriched stable isotopes can be successfully used to mark the fin ray of Lake Sturgeon for long-term stock discrimination. / October 2015

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by high voltage (HV), submarine transmission cables leading from offshore wind energy generation facilities could affect foraging or migratory behaviors of electro-receptive fishes, including endangered Atlantic Sturgeon. However, no published studies have quantitatively evaluated the possible behavioral effects of EMF exposure on sturgeon during residence in coastal waters. This study evaluated behavioral responses by sub-adult Atlantic Sturgeon to electromagnetic and magnetic fields under controlled laboratory conditions. Fabricated EMF generators were used to emulate a range of field EMF conditions that migratory fishes could encounter in proximity to submarine HV sources. Sensor arrays and digital video recorders synoptically quantified EMF conditions and fish behaviors during experimental trials. This thesis will describe the unique, experimental EMF generator/sensor array, present results of the behavior study, and suggest implications of the findings for Atlantic Sturgeon management and conservation. 45 trials were conducted over the course of the study. Study fish were subjected to 3 different field strengths (5µT, 100 µT, 1000 µT), generated using both AC and DC current. Time spent in generated field area, number of passes through the field area, and swimming speed were used to quantify behavioral changes in test subjects. From the data collected and analyzed there was no evidence indicating a change in fish behavior due to the influence of field strengths, field orientations, or field types used during the study.

L'esturgeon européen Acipenser sturio est un poisson migrateur amphihalin qui a connu un fort déclin au cours du 20ème siècle. La dernière population vit dans le bassin Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne (GGD) et sa dernière reproduction connue date de 1994. Les individus relachés lors de repeuplements sont supposés venir se reproduire prochainement. Du fait du changement global et de l'évolution des activités humaines, une meilleure connaissance de la vulnérabilité des jeunes stades de A. sturio vis-à-vis de la température, de la disponibilité en oxygène et des polluants s'est avérée nécessaire. La sensibilité aux conditions oxythermiques actuelles et à venir a été évaluée ainsi que la qualité des sédiments des frayères. Enfin, la sensibilité des jeunes stades de cette espèce à des mélanges de polluants représentatifs du bassin GGD a été également évaluée. Une forte sensibilité des jeunes stades de A. sturio au taux d'oxygène a été mise en évidence. Les fenêtres optimales et critiques de tolérance ont été estimées. La toxicité des sédiments de frayères de Dordogne est globalement supérieur à celle des sédiments de frayères de Garonne. Beauregard et Pessac-sur-Dordogne semblent être respectivement les sites les plus favorables et défavorables aux jeunes stades. La sensibilité de A. sturio aux polluants rencontrés dans le bassin est relativement faible. Les conditions environnementales actuelles du bassin GGD semblent globalement satisfaisantes pour accueillir le développement de jeunes stades de A. sturio. Les données collectées dans cette étude pourront servir pour d'autres programmes de réintroduction de cette espèce. / The European sturgeon Acipenser sturio is a diadromous species which has exibited a drastic decline during the 20th century. Its last population lives in the Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne (GGD) catchment where the last documented reproduction occured in 1994. Individuals released in the context of restocking actions are expected to re-enter the system for reproduction in the next few years. Because of global changes and human activity evolution, environmental conditions have changed from the last reproduction. Improved knowledge on the sensitivity of the European sturgeon to temperature, dissolved oxygen and pollutant is required to evaluate its capacities to recolonize the GGD catchment. Sentivity to present and future, considering global changes, oxygen and temperature conditions were evaluated as well as quality of the substratum of potential spawning grounds. The sensitivity of the early stages toward a mix of pollutants found in the GGD catchment was evaluated. Results obtained show a high sensitivity of the young stages of this species to oxygen concentration. Thermal optimum, optimal and critical tolerance windows were determined. Sensitivity to pollutants mixtures found in the GGD was relatively low. Dordogne river substratum was globally more toxic than Garonne river substratum. Beauregard and Pessac-sur-Dordogne were tested respectively as the best and the worst potential spawning ground for the development of the European sturgeon early stages according to their toxicological effects. Current conditions in the GGD catchment seems to be sustainable for European sturgeon early stages. Data from this study would be useful for further restocking programs in the historical european sturgeon reproduction area.

Intestinal HCO3- secretion and the excretion of resultant CaCO3 precipitates have become a recognized characteristic of seawater osmoregulation in teleosts; however, this is the first report of this osmoregulatory strategy outside of teleosts and also includes evidence for its use in green turtles, Chelonia mydas. Furthermore, the effects of feeding on intestinal HCO3- secretion were newly investigated in teleosts. Intestinal base secretion via apical Cl-/HCO3- exchange was found to increase following feeding, at a magnitude sufficient to offset the "alkaline tide" commonly associated with digestion. Intestinal HCO3- secretion in marine teleosts draws HCO3- from both endogenous (via hydration of intracellular CO2) and serosal (blood) sources, of which serosal HCO3- was found to contribute a greater proportion to the elevated postprandial intestinal base secretion measured in gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta. The mechanism by which this serosal HCO3- crosses the basolateral membrane for subsequent secretion into the intestinal lumen was confirmed in toadfish to be a basolateral Na+/HCO3- co-transporter, tfNBCe1. Furthermore, the isolated intestinal tissue was found to have a high metabolic rate in both control and postprandial toadfish, with respect to that of the whole animal, and shows a considerable specific dynamic action (SDA) response to feeding. Overall, this dissertation provides evidence for the widespread use of intestinal HCO3- secretion as a strategy of marine osmoregulation across aquatic taxa, and also for its newly recognized involvement in postprandial acid-base balance.