Long term effects of embryonic incubation temperature on the immune system of adult zebrafish
The fish immune system is most important in defending the host against various pathogens but, unlike mammals, it is constrained by ambient temperature. We have recently discovered that the embryonic incubation temperature has a strong influence on expression of several immune-related genes and biological processes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae but the persistence of this effect remains unknown. We aim to investigate this in adult zebrafish originating from three embryonic temperature groups and using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate the immune response.
The challenge with LPS is likely to cause moderate distress to the animals, related to the injection procedure and the immune response elicited.
We plan to use the minimum number of zebrafish adults required to achieve significant results, which is 180. The 3Rs principles have been addressed by i) using a non-lethal concentration of LPS to minimise stress, ii) shortening the challenge time to 24 hours, iii) utilising the same biological material for multiple molecular analyses and iv) humanely sacrificing the fish with an overdose of anaesthetic.
The results obtained from this study will contribute significantly to our understanding of the fish immune system and its regulation by temperature, which is highly relevant in the context of global warming and has implications in fisheries conservation and aquaculture.
The challenge with LPS is likely to cause moderate distress to the animals, related to the injection procedure and the immune response elicited.
We plan to use the minimum number of zebrafish adults required to achieve significant results, which is 180. The 3Rs principles have been addressed by i) using a non-lethal concentration of LPS to minimise stress, ii) shortening the challenge time to 24 hours, iii) utilising the same biological material for multiple molecular analyses and iv) humanely sacrificing the fish with an overdose of anaesthetic.
The results obtained from this study will contribute significantly to our understanding of the fish immune system and its regulation by temperature, which is highly relevant in the context of global warming and has implications in fisheries conservation and aquaculture.