Evaluation of nematode and cestod parasites in digestive tract of brood stocks of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in the southeast of the Caspian Sea

Objective: Persian sturgeon (A. persicus) has the maximum share of caviar production among other sturgeon species of the southern Caspian Sea. In order to increase the productivity and restoration of these fishes it is necessary to determine and obtain hematologic, serologic, histopathologic and parasitologic data for these fishes. Among parasites of fishes nematods and cestods of digestive tract are the largest group of parasites that can decrease the productivity. In this study, digestive tract of the Persian sturgeon brood stocks has been investigated for infections with nematodes and cestods. Method & Materials: Sampling sites were 5 landing areas namely; Faridpak, Torkman, Khaje nafas, Mianghale and Chalash along the coastline of the Golestan Province in the southeast of the Caspian Sea from March to April 2008. 39 specimens of the Persian sturgeon brood stocks consisting of 14 males and 25 females were sampled. Abdomen of brood stocks after biometry and coding was dissected for extracting caviar. Beginning and end of the digestive tract was knotted and immediately transferred to the laboratory. In the laboratory, content of the digestive tract was placed in the plate containing physiology serum and according to the parasitology index, parasites were evaluated. Results & Conclusion: Result showed that 66.66 % of the specimens were infected with by two species of including, Cuculanus sphaerocephalus and Skrjabinopsolus semiarmatus. The prevalence of Cuculanus and Skrjabinopsolus was 58.97 and 28.20%, respectively. Dominant percent of these parasites was 86.1 and 13.89%. Mean intensity was 11 and 3.7 per case, respectively. According to the statistical analyses there was not any significant relationship between parasite contaminating and sex of the Persian sturgeon brood stocks (p>0.05). Also, there was not any significant relationship between the occurrence of parasites and sex (p>0.05).

Keywords:

Acipenser persicus , Caspian Sea , digestive tract , parasitology