| Abstract: | Larval growth and gonadal differentiation of gynogenetic sterlet Acipenser ruthenus were studied. The gynogenetic fish were produced by activation of albino sterlet eggs with UV‐irradiated sperm (collected from healthy coloration specimens), following by a heat shock of 34°C. Embryos were reared at 18.0 ± 0.5°C in a recirculation system and initially fed with Artemia sp. for 4 weeks and then fed with formulated feed. During the experiment, the length and weight of fish were recorded for the gynogenetic and control groups. Additionally, the analysis of gonadal sex differentiation was conducted with a 2‐week interval at 289, 303, 317, 331, 345 and 373 DPH. The mean body weight of the control group was significantly higher (p < .05) than the gynogenetic group only at 345 and 373 DPH, while the mean total body length was significantly higher at 331 and 345 DPH (p < .05). The gonad investigation was started at 289 DPH, and ~80% of females were found in the gynogenetic group during the trial period while the number of females and males was similar at 303, 331 and 373 DPH in the control group. The first symptoms of morphological differentiation appeared at 289 DPH, and the final shaping macroscopic structure of the gonad took place earlier in females than in males. |
