A new method for the immobilisation of teleost embryos for time-lapse studies of development

✍ Scribed by King, Gillian M. ;Gordon, Richard ;Karmali, Karim ;Biberman, Leslie J.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 884 KB
• Volume: 220
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-104X
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.1402200203

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The transparent embryo of the zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) can be dechorionated mechanically and immobilised up to 2 weeks in 5% methylcellulose mucilage so that its development can be followed by time‐lapse cinematography. The developmental sequence parallels that of the chorionated or dechorionated free‐swimming controls except the yolk supply is used at a slower rate, which allows normal development to be followed past the stage when feeding presents a problem. Because of its high viscosity the methylcellulose mucilage changes shape slowly and can be manipulated as if it were a solid gel. The embryo can easily be removed by placing a drop of the mucilage containing it in water so that the mucilage softens and the embryo swims away. After a short period of adjustment the swimming and feeding behaviours are identical to those of controls. This immobilisation procedure enables time‐lapse movies to be made of the development of embryos or larvae that normally show locomotory behaviour. This may be a useful procedure for immobilisation of other embryos for developmental studies and as a test system for water pollutants and teratogens that cause abnormal development.