Abstract
Zebrafish are a preferred vertebrate model for evaluating metabolism during development, and for toxicity studies. However, commercially available intermittent-flow respirometry systems (IFRS) do not provide a suitable zebrafish-scaled swimming tunnel with a low water volume and proper flow velocities. We developed a miniature IFRS (mIFRS) with a 3D-printed, palm-sized zebrafish treadmill for measuring the swimming ability and metabolic rate of a single one- or three-month-old zebrafish with and without toxicity treatment. The 3D-printed zebrafish treadmill consists of discrete components assembled together which enables the provision of a temporary closed circulating water flow. The results showed that three-month-old zebrafish of normal physiological status had higher energetic efficiency and could swim at a higher critical swimming speed (Ucrit) of 16.79 cm/s with a lower cost of transport (COTopt) of 0.11 μmol g−1m−1. However, for a single three-month-old zebrafish treated with an antibacterial agent, Ucrit decreased to 45% of normal zebrafish and the COTopt increased to 0.24 μmol g−1m−1, due to the impairment of mitochondria. Our mIFRS provides a low-cost, portable, and readily adaptable tool for studying the swimming performance and energetic metabolism of zebrafish.
Highlights
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become an important vertebrate model organism, and is extensively used in studies into genetics, development, immunology, physiology, toxicology and aging [1]
We have successfully demonstrated the use of our Miniature Intermittent-Flow Respirometry Systems (mIFRS) to measure the critical swimming speed (Ucrit ), optimal swimming speed (Uopt ), standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and cost of transport (COT) of individual one- and three-month-old zebrafish with and without exposure to the antibacterial agent (Triclosan)
A single test zebrafish was placed into a 3D-printed zebrafish treadmill to evaluate its swimming ability, aerobic metabolic rates while swimming, optimal swimming speeds, and cost of transport
Summary
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become an important vertebrate model organism, and is extensively used in studies into genetics, development, immunology, physiology, toxicology and aging [1]. As well as their small size, optical transparency of complex organs, and ease of culture, one of the most attractive features of zebrafish is their age-related swimming ability and aerobic metabolism [2,3]. To evaluate the swimming ability and metabolic rate of aquatic organisms in the g to kg range, such as salmon, tilapia, trout, and sturgeon, intermittent-flow respirometry systems (IFRS) with a liter-sized swimming tunnel are usually used [5,6,7,8,9,10]. SMR stands for the minimal resting metabolic rate of an unstressed and normal physiological status, while MMR reflects the maximum capability for aerobic energy metabolism, which is conventionally measured
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