3D imaging for quantitative assessment of toxicity on vascular development in zebrafish

In this study, we describe the utility of the zebrafish model of in-vivo blood vessel formation as a tool for chemical risk assessment. Time-lapse confocal imaging of embryonic vasculature in the zebrafish is used in conjunction with digital image analysis to monitor and quantify the effect of toxins on vascular development. Non-rigid registration is used to capture changes in vascular morphology over time. Vascular formation in healthy normal and arsenic treated embryos was evaluated for differences in vascular structure using the algorithms developed. Although, the temporal progression of vascular development was similar, significant differences were observed in vessel structure between the toxin treated and healthy fish. This study revealed, for the first time, that vital vascular structures in fish maybe affected by exposure to arsenic. This technique allowed visualization of vascular abnormalities in embryos showing no external signs of malformations.