Description
Zebrafish developmental stages, hours post-fertlization (hpf). Unmarked scale bars indicate 0.5 mm in length. |
Many freshwater and marine fish are exposed to anthropogenic contaminants during early stages of development. However, detailed developmental investigations in native species are often difficult because precise staging and molecular tools have not been worked out. Moreover, embryos are often difficult to obtain and rear under laboratory conditions. Therefore, we are using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system for rapid, high throughput phenotypic screens of developmental toxicity in fish embryos and larvae. Zebrafish are an important system for biomedical research and numerous molecular and genomic tools are available for developmental studies. We are adapting techniques originally used for identifying developmental mutants to evaluate the effects of toxins and toxicants on sensitive life history stages of teleosts.
Zebrafish embryos are easily maintained in a research laboratory using established protocols for zebrafish rearing and husbandry. Embryos can be obtained year round and they develop to hatching between two and three days. They are also optically transparent, allowing for fast and easy observations with standard light and epifluorescent microscopy.
Ongoing studies are examining the effects of pesticide exposure on zebrafish. Embryos and larvae are being examined for anatomical, physiological and behavioral abnormalities. Information from these studies will be used to target further research on developmental effects of anthropogenic contaminants in other fish species. Results in zebrafish will be used to develop new indicators of developmental toxicity in native fish species of concern (e.g. salmon, herring, flatfish).
Investigators
Carla Stehr, Tiffany Linbo, John Incardona and Nat Scholz
Support
Northwest Fisheries Science Center Competitive Internal Grant, 2001
NOAA Coastal Storms Initiative, 2003-04
U.S. Forest Service, Pesticide Impact Assessment Program, 2003-04
Relevant Publications/Presentations
Stehr, C.M., Linbo, T.L., Incardona, J.P. and Scholz, N.L. (2004). Fipronil exposure causes notochord degeneration in developing zebrafish embryos. Proceedings of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry's 4th World Congress, Portland, OR. Poster presentation.
Stehr, C.M., Lefebvre, K.A., Kao, T., Incardona, J. and Scholz, N.L. (2003). Rapid phenotypic screening in zebrafish: A model for identifying developmental toxicity in native fish species. Proceedings of the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conference 2003, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Poster presentation.
Related Links
ZFIN (zebrafish biology)
Popular Media
"Many working to restore Puget Sound", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Nov. 22, 2002.
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