Department of genetics and Biotechnology, International Sturgeon Research Institute, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Sturgeons are known as one of the most valuable fish species in the Caspian Sea and other water bodies across the world. These fishes are highly important both in caviar production and by-products such as leather from the skin. 17 out of 24 sturgeon species are categorized in critically endangered species based on the IUCN red list and all of the five available species in the Caspian Sea have this situation. The most important reasons for the sharp reduction of the sturgeons are illegal haunting for Caviar extraction, loss of nursery grounds, diminishing the water flow from the rivers and water pollution. Sex determination of these fish species is usually time-consuming and invasive, and genetic markers based on traditional methods were not able to solve this problem. Hence, the sex determination of sturgeons in early stages is possible now using the molecular markers obtained from modern techniques, which can be of great importance in terms of aquaculture management in sturgeon farms.
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