Effect of Lighting Conditions on Zebrafish Growth and Development

Abstract

In the underwater environment, the properties of light (intensity and spectrum) change rapidly with depth and water quality. In this article, we have described how and to what extent lighting conditions can influence the development, growth, and survival of zebrafish. Fertilized eggs and the corresponding larvae were exposed to different visible light wavelengths (violet, blue, green, yellow, red, and white) in a 12-h light-12-h dark (LD) cycle until 30 days posthatching (dph), when the expression of morphometric parameters and growth (igf1a, igf2a)- and stress-related (crh and pomca) genes were examined. Another group of larvae was raised under constant darkness (DD) until 5 or 10 dph, after which they were transferred to a LD of white light. A third group remained under DD to investigate the effects of light deprivation upon zebrafish development. The results revealed that the hatching rate was highest under blue and violet light, while total length at 30 dph was greatest under blue, white, and violet light. Red light led to reduced feeding activity and poor survival (100% mortality). Larvae raised under constant white light (LL) showed a higher proportion of malformations, as did larvae raised under LD violet light. The expression of growth and stress factors was upregulated in the violet (igf1a, igf2a, pomca, and chr) and blue (igf2a) groups, which is consistent with the higher growth recorded and the higher proportion of malformations detected under the violet light. All larvae kept under DD died before 18 dph, but the survival rates improved in larvae transferred to LD at 5 dph and at 10 dph. In summary, these findings revealed that lighting conditions are crucial factors influencing zebrafish larval development and growth.

Carotenoid glycosides from cyanobacteria are teratogenic in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo model

“…Similar delays in development related to reduced light and temperature have been previously reported by several authors (Schirone and Gross, 1968; Billotta, 2000; Villamazar et al, 2014; Di Rosa et al, 2015). Notably, for example, Billotta (2000) investigated effects of light on various aspects of zebrafish embryo development, and found that embryos raised in constant dark were generally “developmentally delayed,” and specifically “were still not hatched by 7 dpf.” Subsequent studies have, likewise, shown developmental delay due to rearing in constant dark including various consequent post-larval effects (Villamazar et al, 2014; Di Rosa et al, 2015). Alongside delayed development, relatively high embryotoxicity within 1–2 dpf was observed for all embryos (including controls) reared in constant dark, as specifically evidenced by coagulation, and independent of the generally lethal deformities.…”

Growth, development and survival of European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) larvae cultured under different light spectra and intensities

“…Means were contrasted using the Tukey methods and different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between each treatment (p < 0.05) Villamizar et al, 2013). Data were analysed using a two-way full factorial ANOVA model, where light intensity (A) and light spectrum (B) had a significant effect.…”

“…Studies conducted in other species have shown that de novo cortisol synthesis starts shortly after hatching, and a significant elevation in whole body cortisol in response to various stressors becomes obvious days to weeks later (usually close to first feeding), depending on the species (Alsop & Vijayan, 2008;Applebaum, Wilson, Holt, & Nunez, 2009;Barry, Malison, Held, & Parrish, 1995;Deane & Woo, 2003;Jentoft, Held, Malison, & Barry, 2002;Szisch, Papandroulakis, Fanouraki, & Pavlidis, 2005). When Villamizar et al (2013) investigated the effects of lighting conditions on zebrafish growth and development, they also found that the expression of stress factors was upregulated in the violet (pomca, and crh) group, which is consistent with the higher growth recorded under the violet light. Previous studies proposed that under acute stress, crh mRNA expression decreased considerably, suggesting that the regulation of this gene expression is controlled by increased glucocorticoid levels through a genomic feedback mechanism (Bernier, Lin, & Peter, 1999;Dallman et al, 1994).…”

“…Barahona-Fernandes (1979) suggested that mouth malformations decrease feeding activity, leading to starvation and death. Villamizar et al (2013) found that zebrafish exposed to green or violet light showed high incidences of abnormal development of the spinal cord. Surprisingly, larvae exposed to blue light, with a high incidence of jaw deformation, had a lower incidence of abnormal spinal development than the white light group.…”

Deep Brain Photoreceptor (val-opsin) Gene Knockout Using CRISPR/Cas Affects Chorion Formation and Embryonic Hatching in the Zebrafish

“…Although only one male valopa mutant was available for examination, late hatching was also observed in the surviving embryos from F0 female valopb rw01 and valopb rw02 mutants. Interestingly, recent studies showed that ambient light conditions affect zebrafish hatching; specifically, light deprivation and the exposure to red light delay hatching of WT embryos [48, 49]. Therefore, we expected that non-functional VAL-opsin was the cause of delayed hatching of the F1 embryos.…”