Endoscopic Sex Determination and Gonadal Manipulation in Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Desotoi)

Abstract

Seventeen Gulf of Mexico sturgeons (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) underwent endoscopic sex determination, gonadal biopsy, and various reproductive surgeries as part of a conservation development plan. The fish were anesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) buffered with sodium bicarbonate and maintained on a recirculating water anesthesia circuit. A 6-mm Ternamian EndoTip Cannula, placed through the ventral midline, midway between pectoral and pelvic fins, permitted the introduction of a 5-mm telescope. Swim bladder aspiration and CO2 insufflation of the coelomic cavity provided excellent observation. Second and third cannulae were placed under direct visual control, lateral and cranial or caudal to the telescope cannula. Sex determination was successfully performed in all fish; however, five of 17 sturgeons (29%) required endoscopic gonadal biopsy to confirm sex. Bilateral ovariectomy or orchidectomy was successfully performed in three males and four females. Unilateral ovariectomy and bilateral ligation of the müllerian ducts using an extracorporeal suturing technique was accomplished in an additional three females. No apparent morbidity was associated with the anesthesia or endoscopic surgery in any fish. The ability to safely perform minimally invasive reproductive surgery in fish may have important management and conservation benefits.

Sex determination in the Giant fish of Amazon Basin, Arapaima gigas (Osteoglossiformes, Arapaimatidae), using laparoscopy

“…The incisions made for the trocater introduction did not cause external bleeding and no any apparent damage to the internal organs was found by image inspection. Similar results were observed by Hernandez-Divers et al (2004) for sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Froehlich et al (1999) suggested that there is always a risk in any surgical procedure, but the risk is generally low with laparoscopy, as shown in sturgeons.…”

Use of laparoscopy to determine sex and reproductive status of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus)

“…Less‐invasive alternatives to coeliotomy for sex determination in sturgeon include analysis of blood hormone levels (Webb et al., 2002; Feist et al., 2004; Viayeh et al., 2006), ultrasonography (Moghim et al., 2002; Colombo et al., 2004; Wildhaber et al., 2005; Bryan et al., 2007) and endoscopy (Kynard and Keiffer, 2002; Hernandez‐Divers et al., 2004; Wildhaber et al., 2005; Bryan et al., 2007; Hurvitz et al., 2007; Divers et al., 2009). Blood hormone analysis requires specialized laboratory equipment and expertise, results are not immediate and confirmation of this approach has not been tested on Atlantic or shortnose sturgeon.…”

Abdominal puncture as a new method to determine sex in tuviras ( Gymnotus sp.)

“…Coeliotomy is an invasive technique but does not require the use of sophisticated devices (Filho et al, ). The major problems in the application of this technique are post‐operative complications, including haemorrhage, wound dehiscence, contamination and infection (Boone, Hernandez‐Divers, Radlinsky, Latimer, & Shelton, ; Hernandez‐Divers et al, ). According to Filho et al (), the accuracy degree using this technique reached 96.3% for males and 93.9% for females of Lophiosilurus alexandri .…”