UC Davis

Triploid salmonids have been shown to underperform in suboptimal environments. It is thought this might be due to having larger cells to accommodate the increased number of chromosomes and therefore effects on aerobic metabolism from having smaller cellular surface area to volume ratios. The goal of this study was to examine the aerobic metabolism of diploid and triploid white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in ambient (18 °C) and elevated water temperatures (24 °C). Resting and maximum metabolic rates, recovery time from exhaustive exercise, and surface area to volume ratios of erythrocytes and their nuclei in diploid and triploid sturgeon were evaluated. Triploid sturgeon had a reduced aerobic scope and hematological response (hematocrit and hemoglobin) to exhaustive exercise. A reduced surface area to volume ratio of erythrocytes in triploid sturgeon provides evidence that cellular surface area could be one mechanism limiting aerobic metabolism in triploid fishes. A lower aerobic scope found in triploid sturgeon may impact reproductive and somatic growth, yet more research is needed to determine implications for management decisions on farms and hatcheries.