A factorial experiment for heritability estimation of the reproductive traits in Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) is one of the most valuable species of fish native to the Caspian Sea and Iran's waters. This study was designed to estimate heritability of Persian sturgeon eggs. In this study, 3 wild Persian sturgeons caught from the south coast of the Caspian Sea in Guilan and transferred to fish breeding programs in Shahid Beheshti rearing and propagation complex were used during 2016. Characteristics including the weight and diameter of eggs at blastula, gastrula and neurola embryological stages. To estimate heritability, 270 eggs were sampled at each stage of fetal development. Variance components was estimated using software R linear mixed model (LMM) closed Lme 4. Results showed that heritability of eggs weight and diameter  at blastula stage 0.218±0.422 and 0.375±0.145 ,at gastrula stage  0.033±0.062 and 0  and at stage neurola was  0.377±0.45 and 0.272±0.564 , respectively. Genetic value in female 3 and male 3 brood stocks was 0.787 and 0.287, respectively. Correlation between these two variables 0.106, 0.44 and 0.43, respectively. Overall, heritability of average egg weight and diameter showed that selection for these traits could be had a positive source of genetic origin.