Laboratory Fish in Biomedical Research

Biology, Husbandry and Research Applications for Zebrafish, Medaka, Killifish, Cavefish, Stickleback, Goldfish and Danionella Translucida

1st Edition - August 28, 2021

Editors: Livia D'Angelo, Paolo de Girolamo

Paperback ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 1 0 9 9 - 4

eBook ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 1 2 4 5 - 5

Fish, and particularly zebrafish, have become the fastest-growing segment of the research population. They offer several advantages, in terms of biology and technologies to apply,… Read more

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Fish, and particularly zebrafish, have become the fastest-growing segment of the research population. They offer several advantages, in terms of biology and technologies to apply, and thus are employed in numerous research fields. Laboratory Fish in Biomedical Research: Biology, Husbandry and Research Applications for Zebrafish, Medaka, Killifish, Swordtail Fish, Cavefish, Stickleback, Goldfish and Danionella Translucida addresses the relevant and increasing need to collect cutting-edge knowledge on husbandry, maintenance, welfare and experimental protocols of the most common freshwater species under standard laboratory conditions.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
Fish as model systems
Section 1. Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Chapter 1. Biology and research applications
The biology of the zebrafish
The history of the zebrafish as laboratory model
The zebrafish as a model for development and pathology
Chapter 2. Housing and maintenance of zebrafish, new technologies in laboratory aquatic systems and considerations for facility design
Introduction to the model
Aquatic concepts
Establishing biofiltration
Husbandry
Chapter 3. Breeding and larviculture of zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Introduction
Should we mimic nature, or should we ignore it in laboratory breeding and husbandry of zebrafish: theoretical considerations from the perspective of experimental biology
Zebrafish in nature
Preparing zebrafish for breeding
The breeding tank
Raising zebrafish juveniles is not as easy as often stated
Hatching the eggs and caring for the larvae
Caring for young juveniles
Standardization of breeding and larviculture practices: the question of replicability and reproducibility
Chapter 4. Health monitoring, disease, and clinical pathology
Introduction
Controlling and monitoring population health
Pathogens and diseases to monitor
Fish and environmental samples
Diagnostic assays
Determining the number of samples
Introduction of zebrafish colonies and biosecurity
Conclusion
Chapter 5. The welfare of zebrafish
Introduction
Measuring welfare in zebrafish
Husbandry
Refinements in regulated procedures
Conclusion: the state of zebrafish welfare today
Chapter 6. Analgesia, anesthesia, and euthanasia in zebrafish
Analgesia
Anesthesia
Euthanasia
Conclusions
Chapter 7. Transgenesis, mutagenesis, knockdown, and genetic colony management
Introduction
Ethical issues in genetic manipulation of laboratory fish
Generation and management of morphants and CRISPants
Conclusions
Chapter 8. Sperm cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, and embryo freezing
Introduction
Materials and methods
Conclusion
Section 2. Other small freshwater fish
Chapter 9. Medaka as a model teleost: characteristics and approaches of genetic modification
Medaka
Basic approaches of generation of transgenic/knockout medaka
Introduction of new transgenic methods
Chapter 10. Integrated analyses using medaka as a powerful model animal toward understanding various aspects of reproductive regulation
Medaka as a powerful model animal for research fields of reproduction
Mechanisms of reproductive systems clarified by histological and physiological analyses
Histological studies using medaka
The present scheme of HPG axis regulation clarified by multidisciplinary analyses in vertebrates
Endocrine studies using medaka
Neurophysiological studies using medaka: patch clamp recording and calcium imaging
Medaka provides clues to the understanding of general mechanisms of reproduction in teleosts and even in vertebrates
Chapter 11. The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri): biology and research applications
Introduction
Large-scale husbandry (including water systems and water parameters)
Breeding strategies for genome engineering, including egg collection and incubation
Efficient genome engineering approaches
Fish dissection
The African turquoise killifish: available toolbox
Summary and future perspectives
Materials
Chapter 12. Challenges in keeping annual killifish
Introduction
Available strains and species
Housing and breeding
Embryo development
Diet
Diseases
Summary of the challenges
Chapter 13. Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus): biology, husbandry, and experimental protocols
Biology and natural history
Husbandry
Colony management
Animal welfare and health management
Procedures
Chapter 14. The housing, care, and use of a laboratory three-spined stickleback colony
Introduction
Supply, quarantine, and disinfection
Basic husbandry
Establishing and maintaining a successful colony
Procedures
Conclusion
Chapter 15. Goldfish (Carassius auratus): biology, husbandry, and research applications
Taxonomy and phylogeny
Morphology/anatomy
Geography and natural habitat
Behavior
Husbandry
Goldfish in biomedical research
Chapter 16. Danionella translucida, a tankful of new opportunities
Biology and ecology of Danionella translucida
Neuroscience
Development and evolution
Animal husbandry: early larval stages
Animal husbandry: early stages to adulthood
Breeding
Supplementary data
Supplementary data
Section 3. Databases
Chapter 17. Fish inventory databases
Introduction
Fish characterization and grouping
Record browsing and spatial tracking
Performing actions and monitoring parameters
Statistics and reporting
Advanced features
Examples of current solutions
Future of fish databases
Index