Intercontinental transfer of adultAcipenser oxyrinchus- impact assessment of aviation transport conditions on blood parameters

Summary In order to facilitate intercontinental air transport of live sturgeon broodstock, a simulation test for an 8-h flight was performed in a pressure chamber (pressure profiles resembling conditions during trans-Atlantic cargo flights). Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) were maintained in sealed polyethylene bags with water and an oxygen-enriched atmosphere at a ratio of 1 : 5 : 10 (fish:water:oxygen by volume) over a 10 h period at 15� C water temperature. Minimum pressure during the simulated flight was regulated at an elevation of 2600 m equalling 850 hPa. Decompression and compression phases to simulate takeoff and landing were set at 30 min each. Respiration frequency was recorded during flight simulation. Blood pH, blood pO2 and pCO2 as well as Ca 2+ ,N a + ,K + , Cl ) , glucose and cortisol, cholesterol and trigycerids were also monitored prior to and after transport (at 12, 24, 36, 280 and 366 h). During exposure in the bags, blood pH decreased from a mean of 7.35 to 7.11 and blood pCO2 increased from 2.48 to 8.53 hPa. Both parameters revealed the most significant deviations from control levels immediately following the trial, returning to normal levels after 36 h. In contrast, the Na 2+ , Ca 2+ and Cl ) ion as well as glucose concentration required 72 h following the simulated transport until baseline levels were reached. During the subsequent transatlantic transport trials from Canada to Germany, blood parameters were utilized to assess fish recovery following transport. Additionally, testing of the transport water revealed that NH4–N reached critical levels of 6 mg l )1 within 16–18 h when the fish were kept in the sealed bags at 10� C. Following transport, adaptation of pH in the water of the rearing facility to levels of pH 6.9–7.0 for 20–28 h minimized toxic NH3 concentrations and ensured recovery. Recovery times varied to a large extent, influenced by the condition factor of the fish. Fish survival was 100% for 2 months post-transport, indicating that the critical parameters were met during transport.