A study of biochemical parameters associated with ovarian atresia and quality of caviar in farmed white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy

Morphological and biochemical changes in white sturgeon (N = 11) plasma and ovarian follicles were monitored during late vitellogenesis and follicular atresia using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR, 4000–400 cm− 1), with the objective to predict ovarian regression. Spectral features of plasma were correlated with ovarian follicular atresia based upon changes in spectra of sex steroids and vitellogenin. Principal Component Analysis could differentiate ovarian maturity during vitellogenesis and onset and progression of ovarian regression. It was possible to predict the ovarian conditions (late vitellogenesis vs. early atresia) about 70% of the time using Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy models. We conclude that FT-IR spectroscopy provides a useful tool for predicting ovarian maturity and optimal time of roe harvest.