A Minimally Invasive Method for Extraction of Sturgeon Oocytes

Abstract

Fishery biologists, hatchery personnel, and caviar fishers routinely extract oocytes from sturgeon (Acipenseridae) to determine the stage of maturation by checking egg quality. Typically, oocytes are removed either by inserting a catheter into the oviduct or by making an incision in the body cavity. Both methods can be time‐consuming and stressful to the fish. We describe a device to collect mature oocytes from sturgeons quickly and effectively with minimal stress on the fish. The device is made by creating a needle from stainless steel tubing and connecting it to a syringe with polyvinyl chloride tubing. The device is filled with saline solution or water, the needle is inserted into the abdominal wall, and eggs are extracted from the fish. Using this device, an oocyte sample can be collected in less than 30 s. Such sampling leaves a minute wound that heals quickly and does not require suturing. The extractor device can easily be used in the field or hatchery, reduces fish handling time, and minimizes stress.

Reproductive ecology and movement of pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River, Montana

“…For newly captured females, gonadal tissue was collected prior to the insertion of the radio‐transmitter, and the sample was preserved in 10% phosphate‐buffered formalin. Females that were previously radio‐tagged and were suspected to be ripe were sampled using the minimally invasive technique described by Candrl, Papoulias, and Tillitt ().…”

Ontogenetic development of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) from hatch through yolk absorption

“…Reproductive status of female sturgeon was evaluated using ultrasound examination and polarity indices of a sample of oocytes collected via minimally invasive biopsies (Bryan et al, 2007; Candrl et al, 2010; Chebanov & Galich, 2011; Webb et al, 2017; Wildhaber et al, 2007). Reproductively ready female sturgeon received two separate IM hormone injections to induce ovulation.…”

Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs

“…Female pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon were evaluated for reproductive readiness based on ultrasound examination and measurement of polarity indices from oocytes collected using minimally invasive biopsies (Bryan et al 2007;Wildhaber et al 2007;Candrl et al 2010;Chebanov and Galich 2011). Ovulation of reproductively ready female sturgeon was induced by injecting an intramuscular priming dose of luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone (50 lg/kg body mass) and a resolving dose of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) pituitary extract (2 mg/kg body mass) given 12 h later according to methods described in DeLonay et al (2016b).…”