A classification system for zebrafish adipose tissues

Area of Science:

• Comparative physiology
• Developmental biology
• Metabolic research

Background:

• Zebrafish are valuable for in vivo imaging of adipose tissue (AT) dynamics.
• Accurate quantification of AT is possible in live zebrafish using fluorescent lipophilic dyes.
• A comprehensive identification and classification of zebrafish ATs is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify, classify, and quantify the zebrafish AT pool using in vivo imaging.
• To describe morphological characteristics and quantify areas of distinct ATs.
• To develop predictive models for AT size across developmental stages and demonstrate the resource's utility.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fluorescent lipophilic dyes for in vivo imaging of zebrafish.
• Systematically identified and classified 34 regionally distinct ATs, including visceral and subcutaneous depots.
• Quantified AT areas and constructed regression models for AT size prediction.

Main Results:

• Identified and classified 34 distinct zebrafish ATs: 5 visceral and 22 subcutaneous.
• Described detailed morphological characteristics for each identified AT.
• Quantified AT areas and developed regression models to predict AT size across developmental stages.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a foundational resource for zebrafish AT identification, quantification, and dynamics.
• The characterized ATs and predictive models are valuable for future research on adiposity and its modifiers.
• Demonstrated the utility of this resource for studying the effects of genetic variation and diet on AT growth.