PUBLICATION

Circadian rhythmicity in the locomotor activity of larval zebrafish

Authors
Cahill, G.M., Hurd, M.W., and Batchelor, M.M.
ID
ZDB-PUB-990105-5
Date
1998
Source
Neuroreport   9: 3445-3449 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Cahill, Greg, Hurd, Mark W.
Keywords
activity cycles; circadian rhythm; computer-assisted; image processing; motor activity; zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal/physiology
  • Circadian Rhythm/physiology*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Larva/physiology
  • Motor Neurons/physiology*
  • Swimming/physiology*
  • Videotape Recording
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
9855296 Full text @ Neuroreport
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) may be useful for mutational analyses of vertebrate circadian clock mechanisms if efficient assays of circadian rhythmicity are available. Using an automated video image analysis system, we found robust circadian rhythms in the locomotor activity of larval (10- to 15-day-old) zebrafish maintained in constant conditions. Activity was rhythmic in > 95% of the animals tested. The timing of peak activity in constant conditions was determined by the prior light:dark cycle, with highest activity during the subjective day. The mean freerunning period of the activity rhythms was 25.6 h, and the within-experiment standard deviation of freerunning period ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 h. Therefore, it should be possible to detect mutations that lengthen or shorten the freerunning circadian period of zebrafish activity rhythms by 1-2 h.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping