Sex Determination and Differentiation of the Siberian Sturgeon

This is a synthesis of the published information on sex determination and differentiation in sturgeons with special emphasis in Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii. The sex-determination system has been poorly studied in sturgeons and paddlefishes. Among 27 species of Acipenseriformes, the WZ-female model has been proposed in five species and one hybrid based on gynogenetic studies. The sex-determining gene remains unknown, and there are no studies on the influence from autosomal genetic factors or environmental cues. The lack of genetic sex marker is limiting the studies on sex determination and differentiation, as well as the application in the early sexing for culture purposes.