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Developmental toxicity assay using high content screening of zebrafish embryos
Susan Lantz-McPeak1, Xiaoqing Guo, Elvis Cuevas
1Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA.
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT
|May 30, 2014
Summary
This study introduces an automated high content screening assay for zebrafish embryos to rapidly assess chemical teratogenicity. This method, using embryo length, speeds up developmental toxicity testing and risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- High-Throughput Screening
Background:
- Standard toxicological assays for zebrafish embryos are time-consuming.
- Current methods often focus on mortality and teratogenicity within the first 2 days post-fertilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an automated, image-based high content screening (HCS) assay for assessing teratogenic and embryotoxic potential in zebrafish embryos.
- To establish a high-throughput method for evaluating developmental toxicants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized automated image acquisition with a high content microscope system.
- Implemented automated analysis of zebrafish embryo length as a quantifiable toxicity endpoint.
- Assessed the effects of ethanol, nicotine, ketamine, caffeine, DMSO, and temperature on embryo development.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of an automated, image-based assay for developmental toxicity screening.
- Identified embryo length as a statistically significant endpoint for assessing toxic effects.
- Successfully evaluated the biological effects of various compounds and temperature changes.
Conclusions:
- The automated high content screening assay provides a high-throughput method for evaluating teratogens and developmental toxicants.
- This approach significantly expedites the screening process, reducing analysis time and resources.
- The growth-retardation endpoint enhances the current risk assessment process for developmental toxicity.
