Stress responses of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus to repetition of a management stressor (handstripping of milt)

Abstract

To determine the dynamics of stress responses in the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, two most indicators of stress (i.e. cortisol and glucose) were measured after pituitary preparation injection and during repeated handstrippings of milt. The serum values of cortisol and glucose increased after pituitary preparation injection with maximum levels in the first and second handstrippig respectively. Afterward, the cortisol decreased to initial values while glucose levels remained in their maximum values during further handstrippings. Also, a significant negative relationship was recorded between serum levels of cortisol and glucose. In conclusion, our results show a dissimilarity between Persian sturgeon (as a chondrostean fish) and teleost fish in terms of physiological responses to a stressor, however, the more studies are invited for confirmation of this claim in sturgeons.