Environmental Biology of Fishes48:265–278, 1997.
© 1997Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the NetherlandsObservations on the reproductive cycle ofcultured white sturgeon,
Acipensertransmontanus
Serge I. Doroshov, Gary P. Moberg & Joel P. Van Eenennaam
Department of Animal Science,University of California Davis, CA 95616, U. S.A.Received10.1.1995 Accepted8.4.1996Key words:gametogenesis, neuroendocrine control, pubertal age and body size, breeding intervalsSynopsisMales and females of cultured white sturgeon,Acipenser transmontanus,mature at an average age of 4 and 8
years, respectively. However, the onset of ovarian vitellogenesis and puberty are highly asynchronous in the
female stock. Gonadal cycles are annual in males and biennial in females, and gametogenesis is influenced by
season. Neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction appears to involve a dual gonadotropin system control-
ling gonadal development and spawning. Labile puberty and sex-specific duration of the gonadal cycle are
distinct characteristics of cultured and wild sturgeon. Photoperiod and temperature play a significant role in
environmental regulation of the reproductive cycle, but further studies are necessary to elucidate the roles of
endogenous and environmental factors in sturgeon reproduction which is critically important for both aqua-
culture and conservation of endangered wild stocks.Introduction Current development of sturgeon and paddlefish
culture provides opportunities for studies of repro-
Sturgeons and paddlefishes, order Acipenseri- duction in Acipenseriformes. Gametogenesis and
formes, have attracted century-long attention of de- gonadal cycles were elucidated in cultured Siberian
velopmental biologists (recent reviews by Dettlaff sturgeonA. baerii(Akimova et al. 1979, Le Menn &
et al. 1993, Bolker 1993, Bemis & Grande 1992), but Pelissero1991,Williot et al.1991),and the hybrid
studies of their reproductive physiology were limit- Huso huso×A. ruthenus(Burtsev 1983, Fujii et al.
ed by the lack of cultured animals. The complexity 1991).Structure and function of reproductive hor-
of the reproductive cycle of sturgeon has been re- mones have also been investigated (Burzawa-Ge-
vealed through fishery and hatchery studies (Hol- rard et al.1975a,1975b, Kuznetsov et al. 1983 Gon-
cík 1989, Barannikova∨ 1991, Dettlaff et al. 1993). charov et al. 1991, Sherwood et al. 1991, Lescheid et
Hormonal induction of ovulation and spermiation al. 1995, Moberg et al. 1995). Nevertheless, informa-
in wild sturgeon, developedbyRussian scientists, tion on gonadal cycles and reproductive physiology
made hatchery propagation feasible and contribut- of Acipenseriformes remains fragmentary.
ed to early advances in fish endocrinology (Pick- This paper summarizes preliminary findings on
ford & Atz 1957). However, difficulties in obtaining reproductive development in cultured white stur-
experimental animals and growing them to maturi- geon,A. transmontanus.As this species is long lived
ty were major obstacles in reproductive research on and slow maturing, our observations are incom-
Acipenseriformes. plete and investigations continue. The material was