Short‐term physiological role of thyroxine administration on plasma metabolites and growth performance of Sterlet sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus

Abstract

Thyroid hormones (THs) play important roles in regulating growth, development and physiological functions in vertebrates. To study the role of short‐term effects of thyroxine (T4) on metabolism and growth in female Sterlet sturgeon, thirty fish with a weight of 707.97 ± 37.15 g were divided into six tanks. Fish were injected intraperitoneal with (a) coconut oil alone (control), (b) 1 mg T4 kg per BW in coconut oil (T1) and (c) 10 mg T4 kg per BW in coconut oil (T10). Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 7, 14, 28 and 60 days for plasma biochemical analysis, and body length and mass were determined at day 60. Based on results, higher growth was indicated in T10 group. The highest T4 levels were observed on day 4 in the T1 and T10 treatments and gradually declined during the trial. Plasma T3 levels were highest on days 4 and 7 in the T1 and T10 groups, respectively. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly elevated on day 28 in the T1 group and on day 60 in the T10 group. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly elevated on days 7 and 14 in T10 group. Overall, the present results suggest that a single injection of T4 can improve growth via changes in the metabolic profile of Sterlet sturgeon.