Bardukov NV, Nikipelov VI, Otradnov PI, Nikipelova AK.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026. Vol. 109. No. 3. Р. 113-128.

doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-109-3-113

Original article

Improving the efficiency of formation of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) replacement broodstock in industrial conditions

 

Nikolay V Bardukov1, Vladislav I Nikipelov2, Petr I Otradnov3, Amina K Nikipelova4

1234Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, Dubrovitsy, Russia

1bardukv-nikolajj@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5497-2409

2vladnikipelovvij@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6411-2454

3deriteronard@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1153-5815

4nikipelova_aminavij@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8248-7555

Abstract. The article presents the results of the development and experimental testing of an integrated approach to the formation of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) replacement broodstock in aquaculture conditions. The study was conducted on 385 individuals of the Lena population (generation 2022) in a recirculating aquaculture system from 2023 to 2026. Genetic sex determination was performed using real-time PCR with the female-specific marker AllWSex2. Comparative morphometric analysis revealed that up to 2 years of age, no significant differences in body weight and linear dimensions were observed between  males  and females; however, after 2.5 years, males began to lag significantly behind females (P≤0.05–0.001), which is associated with earlier sexual maturation of males. By 3 years 11 months, the average body weight of females (7976.09 g) exceeded that of males (6988.8 g) by 14%. Ultrasound diagnostics at 3 years 11 months confirmed sex in 93.0% of individuals (agreement with the genetic test: females – 96.7%, males – 88.9%). Gonadal developmental anomalies (hypoplasia) were identified in 7.0% of individuals, which were subject to culling. The developed integrated approach improves the efficiency of selective breeding and reduces economic costs in the formation of sturgeon replacement broodstock in aquaculture.

Keywords: aquaculture, Siberian sturgeon, replacement broodstock, AllWSex2, ultrasound diagnostics, real-time PCR, sexual dimorphism

Acknowledgments: the work was supported in accordance to the plan of research works for 2025- 2027 LK Ernst Federal Research Center (No. FGGN-2025-0005).

For citation: Bardukov NV, Nikipelov VI, Otradnov PI, Nikipelova AK. Improving the efficiency of formation of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) replacement broodstock in industrial conditions. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026;109(3):113-128. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-109-3-113

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Information about the authors:

Nikolay V Bardukov, Researcher at the Laboratory of Genetic Technologies in Agro- and Aquaculture, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, Russia, tel.: +7 985 434-49-20.

Vladislav I Nikipelov, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Genetic Technologies in Agro- and Aquaculture, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, Russia, tel.: +79270752759.

Petr I Otradnov, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Genetic Technologies in Agro- and Aquaculture, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, Russia, tel.:+79296131475.

Amina K Nikipelova, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Genetic Technologies in Agro- and Aquaculture, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, Russia, tel.: +79275708398.

The article was submitted 20.04.2026; approved after reviewing 23.06.2026; accepted for publication 14.09.2026.

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