ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF STRESS IN FEMALE PERSIAN STURGEON, ACIPENSER PERSICUS

The study on the ecophysiological impacts of stress in female Persian sturgeon broodfishes revealed that the average cortisol level varried in all broodfish caught at the Sefidrud River (163.38±21.2ng mL-1), Sefidrud River estuary (260.27±19.7ng mL-1) and Gorganrud River estuary (179.38±20.8ng mL-1). The variations in serum glucose levels were 140.65±12.05mg dL-1, 144.44±5.9mg dL-1 and 126.24±11mg dL-1, respectively. The maximum level of cortisol (781 ng mL-1) and serum glucose (281 mg dL-1) were observed during the transport of broodfish from the capture stations to the hatcheries and the minimum level of cortisol (25.2 ng mL-1) and serum glucose (33 mg dL-1) were observed during the confinement of broodfishes in the breeding ponds. The rhythmic and significant variations of cortisol level during capture, handling, transport and confinement of female Persian sturgeon broodfish in all three regions can be regarded as a valuable indicator of stress