Growth and maturation in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus under high concentrations of dissolved oxygen

This study investigates the effect of high dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO) on sterlet Acipenser ruthenus maturation. Two groups, each comprising 246 individuals of 8-month-old juvenile sterlets, were reared for 37 months under high DO (group H, mean DO of 11.2 mg/L) or normal DO (group C, mean DO of 7.3 mg/L). Significant differences in body weight were observed between group H (638.7 ± 191.9 g) and group C (572.2 ± 151.9 g) in 12 months ( P 0.05) in 24 months. Significant differences in follicle diameter in mature females were also observed. Group H included 68 mature females, with an average follicle diameter of 2318.0 ± 175.3 µm, whereas group C included 56 mature females, with a smaller average follicle diameter of 2152.3 ± 287.0 µm ( P