Methods of sex determination in Sturgeons

Fishes are one of the most numerous and diverse group of vertebrates havinginteresting reproductive strategies to protect their stocks. The age of sexualmaturation is different in fishes and rang from few months to several years. Sturgeonsmature late and their sex determination at early age by visual inspection is impossible.Therefore, depending on the age of the fish, the sex determination fulfills usingdifferent methods such as surgery (biopsy), laparoscopy, ultrasonography andhormonal methods. Based on sex determination studies using biopsy or laparoscopyon 5000 specimens of different sturgeon specimens, these methods wererecommended to sex determination in sturgeons for individual with a age less than 3years. This methods can help sturgeon farmers to decrease their expenses byremoving males.

Keywords:

Sturgeon , Biopsy , Laparoscopy , Sex determination