The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal testicular development in the cultured sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus. During annual sexual cycle of male sterlet, stages of gonad maturity were examined using histology and ultrasonography approaches. The histology identified males at different stages of maturity among fish sampled monthly. According to the seasonal changes in the testes, reproductive cycle was divided into four stages including resting, pre-spawning, spawning, and post-spawning. The histology examination revealed considerable variation in testicular developmental stages. These changes were identified based on persistent spermatogenesis and asynchronous gonad development in testes, showing that regulation of annual gonadal cycle is influenced by season. Also, the results obtained using ultrasound suggested that reproductive stages can be identified based on morphology and tissue echogenicity. At each phase of testicular development, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and number of spermatogenic cysts were variable. The present study focused on determination of annual reproductive development in cultured male sterlet which clearly identifies reproductive stage in each season as valuable guide for future researches on reproductive biology of sterlet. This study presents basic knowledge about reproductive biology in sterlet contributing to optimal broodstocks management that allows comparison of reproductive development among sturgeon species.

Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Vodňany Czech Republic

Institute of Hydrobiology Biology Centre CAS Na Sádkách 7 České Budějovice 370 05 Czech Republic

University of Lorraine Boulevard des Aiguillettes BP 236 54506 Vandoeuvre Les Nancy France

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