Changing of taste organ in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus, Borodin, 1897) during early development

Zarini, Mohammadamin; Eagderi, Soheil; Mojazi Amiri, Bagher; Arabshahi, Mahta

doi:10.22124/janb.2024.27053.1239

Changing of taste organ in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus, Borodin, 1897) during early development

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Alborz, Iran

10.22124/janb.2024.27053.1239

Abstract

Introduction: In the first stage of the aquaculture program of a species, it is necessary to know the stages of its initial development. In artificial reproduction programs and after the fertilization stage, an important issue is the feeding of the larvae after the absorption of the yolk sac, because the greatest loss of fish occurs during the absorption of the yolk sac and the stage of transition from endogenous feeding to exogenous feeding. Also, it is very important to find out how to feed and the type of food ration in primary rearing. The feeding time also depends on the time of formation of sensory organs, sight, smell and taste. In this study, the development process of the taste organ in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) from the time of hatching to the 23^rd DPH (day post hatch) was investigated.
Materials and methods: After the artificial reproduction of the brooders, the larvae were sampled daily from the 1 to 9 DPH, and randomly in the 12^th, 16^th, 20^th and 23^rd DPH to prepare SEM electron microscopy images.
Results and discussion: In the 1^st DPH, the barbels were forming and a number of taste buds could be seen in the place where the mouth was formed. At the same time with the appearance of the lips and the growth and differentiation of the barbels, the taste buds developed. From the 5^th DPH, the growth of taste buds increased and the number and size of these buds continued to be elevated in the lips, inside the mouth and barbels. From the 12^th DPH, this increase dropped to some extent and happened only with the growth of the buds. From the 20^th DPH onwards, it remained almost unchanged in terms of number and only the buds reached maturity. In addition, the number and density of taste buds in the upper lip was higher than the lower lip. The results of the maximum development process (5^th DPH-8^th DPH) of taste buds show the compatibility of the development of taste buds of the Persian sturgeon with the start of active feeding of this species (in the 8^th DPH).
Conclusion: In this research, the development process of the taste organ of Persian sturgeon from the time of hatching through the 23^rd day was examined. Since knowledge of the early stages of the development in any fish species is one of the first requirements of any aquaculture program, the results of this study can help to optimize the breeding conditions of Persian sturgeon larvae during the early stages of development.

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