The physiological ionoregulatory, metabolic and immune responses of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, to acute stress were investigated. Water levels were lowered to the fish dorsal scutes, and fish were blood-sampled before stress (pre-stress), and 0, 6, 24 and 72 h after stress. Results showed that serum cortisol rapidly increased after stress, returning to initial levels at 24 h. Serum glucose significantly increased at 6 h, declining to the pre-stress levels at 72 h. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol showed significant decreases at 0 h, then increasing to higher than the initial levels at 72 h. Serum T 3 and T 4 significantly decreased at 0 h and recovered at 72 h. Serum chloride levels showed no significant changes while serum calcium showed a significant increase at 0 h and a further increase until 72 h poststress. Serum total protein and alternative complement activity showed a significant initial decrease and recovery at 24 h with further increase at 72 h. Serum lysozyme activity increased significantly at 24 and 72 h after stress. Serum total immunoglobulin significantly increased at 0 h and peaked at 24 h. This is the first work showing thyroid hormone and immunological responses in Persian sturgeon subjected to stress, and the results show that this species follows a classical hormonal and energetic stress response, although, in the low range among the sturgeons. Although transient and moderate, confinement stress can induce significant changes in the innate immune response.

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