Study of steroid hormones, biochemical parameters and body size based on different gonad's quality and gonad's fat content from sonogrphy method in female cultured Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

Farmed female Siberian sturgeon's gonad (n= 30, 3-year old) was examined using an ultrasonograph unit with a 9–13 MHz linear transducer and results were compared with serum steroid hormones, biochemical parameters and body size. The sonogram was practically interpreted based on two indices as gonad's size based on gonad's size and gonadal fat content in the three classifications (small, medium, and large). As evidenced, 73.3% of fishes were considered as weak gonadal fat content; adversely most of which had large gonad's quality. From the results, gonad's quality showed significant correlation with body size, in which larger fishes had medium and large gonad's quality. This ensures the more success of production of females for both caviar production and broodstocks production purposes when larger fishes in the same age are known in a farm and could be separated for better management. Pearson’s correlation showed that there was a significant positive relationship between body length and triglyceride (R = 0.571, P < 0.01) and between body weight and triglyceride (R = 0.665, P < 0.000). Furthermore, a positive trend of triglyceride level in large gonad's quality group rather than weak group could certify it as a potential serum's biomarker to detect larger female accompanied with relatively larger and more productive gonad in Siberian sturgeon.