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Updated: May 12, 2026
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In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Lateral-line Hair Cells in Larval Zebrafish
Published on: November 28, 2018
Early development of hearing in zebrafish
Zhongmin Lu1, Alexandra A DeSmidt
1Department of Biology, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. zlu@miami.edu
Summary
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) hair cell development was studied using microphonic potentials. Auditory function and hair cell counts increase with age, providing crucial data for hearing research in young zebrafish.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Auditory research
Background:
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a key vertebrate model for human hearing and balance disorders.
- Their genetic tractability, embryology, and in vivo visualization aid research.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate early auditory function in zebrafish using the microphonic potential method.
- Report the ontogeny of hair cell response in fish during the first week post-fertilization.
Main Methods:
- Extracellular microphonic potentials were recorded from zebrafish inner ear hair cells.
- Stimulation involved calibrated piezoelectric actuators and glass probes at various frequencies (20-200 Hz).
- Confocal microscopy visualized and quantified saccular hair cells in transgenic zebrafish (2-7 days post fertilization).
Main Results:
- Otic vesicle and otolith areas, saccular hair cell count, and density increased linearly with zebrafish age and length.
- Microphonic responses increased with stimulus intensity, frequency, and age.
- Microphonic threshold at 200 Hz decreased with age, correlating with hair cell development.
Conclusions:
- Auditory sensitivity and response in zebrafish increase with hair cell development and density.
- This study provides essential control data for evaluating hearing in zebrafish mutants and morphants.
