Carbohydrate Utilization by White Sturgeon as Assessed by Oral Administration Tests

Abstract

Oral carbohydrate administration tests were used to gain more insight into the ability of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) to utilize different carbohydrates. Nine carbohydrates in gelatin capsules were administered orally after the sturgeon were fasted for 48 h. Blood was sampled at selected time intervals from 2 to 72 h thereafter. Maximum plasma glucose concentration in the glucose-fed sturgeon was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the maltose-fed sturgeon, which in turn was higher than in sturgeon fed the other carbohydrates. Maximum plasma glucose concentrations in the sturgeon fed fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, dextrin, raw cornstarch or cellulose were not significantly different. New findings in this study include the following: 1) plasma glucose concentrations in the glucose- or maltose-fed sturgeon were higher than the other animals under similar conditions; 2) the pattern of plasma galactose and glucose concentrations was similar in sturgeon after they were fed galactose and glucose, respectively, except that the maximum plasma galactose concentration was observed 8 h later than the maximum plasma glucose concentration; and 3) a small amount of the same disaccharide was detected in the plasma of sturgeon 4 to 20 h after they were fed the disaccharides.