Abstract
Great sturgeon Huso huso juveniles (sub-yearling; 30–268 g) and adults (12.2 kg) were exposed to different kinds of stressors that are commonly observed in aquaculture practices including density, severe confinement, handling, and sex identification. Blood was taken pre- and post-stress for the measurement of cortisol and glucose concentrations. Results showed that in most cases, primary (cortisol) and secondary (glucose) responses of fish to stressors significantly increased. Some different responses were observed between low and high densities as well as male and female. In many cases, stress metabolites decreased to the initial levels at 9–12 h after stress. Results revealed that responses to the stressors in sturgeon are not high as like as teleosts. We established that acute stressors cause a stress response in different size classes of great sturgeon. We characterized the resting profile for cortisol and determined the dynamics of this hormone as well as under simulated management stressors. With this information, we can start the development of management practices (such as anesthesia and appropriate density and handling) that would eliminate stressors interfering with production performance and well-being of the animal in aquaculture. To achieve this, potential stressors should be avoided and possible procedures and techniques can be used or modified to reduce the degree of stress on the fish as much as possible.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank to any persons who helped us during these researches. Some parts of the present research financially supported by University of Guilan. Also, many thank to Dr. B. Barton for useful comments during the works.
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Falahatkar, B., Poursaeid, S. Stress responses of great sturgeon Huso huso subjected to husbandry stressors. Aquacult Int 21, 947–959 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-012-9566-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-012-9566-9