Aspects regarding the profile of intestinal microbiota on wild populations of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus, linnaeus, 1758)

The aim of the present research was to examinate the profile of intestinal microbiota of sterlet from the Danube River. Genomic DNA was extracted from each gut fish and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the conserved 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR amplified 16S rDNA to characterise the variability of bacterial populations, the results showed different microbial profiles for 50% of fish. These results demonstrate the potential of PCRDGGE-based analysis for identification of gut microbiota and could contribute to a better understanding of fish ecology.