DIFFERENT DIETS ON THE POSTPARTUM RECOVERY OF THE OFFSPRING CHINESE STURGEON (ACIPENSER SINENSIS)

As an endangered species, the Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) has been artificially cultured in recent years. To maximize resource utilization in aquaculture and enhance reproductive capacity upon maturity, a ley focus is placed on postpartum recovery and the maintenance of parent fish. This experiment investigates the effects of different diets on the growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, nutrient metabolism, liver function, and immune indicators of the postpartum recovery of the offspring of Chinese sturgeon. The aim is to explore the rehabilitative effects of different diets on the first generation of Chinese sturgeon offspring. Eighteen first-generation parent fish of Chinese sturgeon offspring, with an average initial weight of (80.64±9.80) kg, were selected for breeding in 2022. They were randomly divided into three groups and fed Formula feed (FF), Iced fresh fish (IF), and a combination of Formula feed in the morning and iced fresh fish in the evening (Mix Feed, MF) for 12 weeks. The results showed that the MF diet significantly increased the body weight gain rate (WGR), length gain rate (LGR), and chest circumference gain rate (CGR) of Chinese sturgeon offspring postpartum (P<0.05). In terms of serum antioxidant capacity, the activities of Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the MF and IF groups were significantly higher than those in the FF group (P<0.05). Regarding nutrient metabolism, the serum Triglycerides (TG) and Total Cholesterol (T-CHO) content were significantly increased in the MF and IF groups (P<0.05), while the serum Total protein (TP) content was significantly lower in the FF group compared to the MF and IF groups (P<0.05). In terms of serum liver function and immune response, the serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities of the first generation of Chinese sturgeon offspring were significantly lower in the MF group than those in the FF group (P<0.05). Additionally, the Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, blood Calcium (Ca²⁺) and blood Phosphorus (P³⁺) content were significantly higher in the MF group compared to the FF group (P<0.05). Furthermore, fifteen months after the experiment concluded, gonadal development hormones levels were tracked and studied. The serum estradiol (E2) content of the first generation of Chinese sturgeon offspring in the mixed feed group was significantly lower than that of other groups after childbirth (P<0.05). In summary, under the conditions of this experiment, feeding the offspring of Chinese sturgeon with formula feed in the morning and iced fresh fish in the evening can enhance nutrient absorption, improve growth performance, effectively increase serum antioxidant enzyme activity, enhance immunity and overall health, promote rapid postpartum recovery, and establish a foundation for the conservation and preservation of Chinese sturgeon germplasm resources.