Genetic methods to determine the sex of sturgeon have been made more reliable, according to a study done by researchers at Lake Superior State University.
The new addition to existing genetic testing will make results more clear by distinguishing between negative results and inconclusive results.
Previously, all fish that were missing a specific marker were classified as male, but there was no way of knowing if the marker was truly not there or if the test did not have enough information to confirm its presence. Now, the added control to the testing makes results more decisive.
The updated testing will allow future researchers to understand sex-specific characteristics of sturgeon, which is something that researcher Kevin Kapuscinski said is very important for further study.
“Reliable information about the sex of sturgeon can be a crucial piece in understanding how populations are structured and where they are on the path to rehabilitation,” he said. “This method gives a practical way to get that information.”
Additionally, improved testing will allow researchers to increase efficiency in testing compared to methods using biopsies or ultrasonography.
The study was also notable because it featured collaboration between professors Britton Ranson Olson and Kevin Kapuscinksi and master’s candidate Alana J. Miller-Schofield.
Miller-Schofield, a student pursuing her advanced degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management, said that being involved with professors during research like this has been very valuable to her educational experience.
“Working on this project has been immensely rewarding,” she said. “Being involved beyond the classroom and working in the research lab has allowed me to see the entire process of scientific research and publication.”
The research was supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, which aims to maintain and protect fish and their habitats in the Great Lakes.
The fully published research article is available through the BioTechniques journal.
