Effects of LHRH-A2 on sex steroids levels, stress indices, and some plasma biochemical parameters in female sterlet sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus, broodstock

The effect of ovulation inducing LHRH-A2 on sex steroids levels, stress indices and plasma biochemical parameters of the female sterlet, Acipencer ruthenus, were determined. The fish were injected intramuscularly with 10 μg/kg of LHRH-A2 in two phases of in 10 and 90% at 12 hours interval. Blood samples were collected before injection (control), 12 hours after the first injection, and after the ovulation. Significant differences in the levels of testosterone (T), glucose and aspartate amino transferase (AST) concentrations were observed at the three samplings (P0.05). This study demonstrated that the injection of LHRH-A2 has influence on liver enzymes activities and some hormones involved in final oocyte maturation. The results revealed that injection of LHRH-A2 had little impact on stress indicators, but some sex steroids such as T and blood biochemical parameters particularly AST were affected by hormonal induction.