Laser-scanning velocimetry: a confocal microscopy method for quantitative measurement of cardiovascular performance in zebrafish embryos and larvae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The zebrafish Danio rerio is an important model system for drug discovery and to study cardiovascular development. Using a laser-scanning confocal microscope, we have developed a non-invasive method of measuring cardiac performance in zebrafish embryos and larvae that obtains cardiovascular parameters similar to those obtained using Doppler echocardiography in mammals. A laser scan line placed parallel to the path of blood in the dorsal aorta measures blood cell velocity, from which cardiac output and indices of vascular resistance and contractility are calculated.

Results

This technique, called laser-scanning velocimetry, was used to quantify the effects of pharmacological, developmental, and genetic modifiers of cardiac function. Laser-scanning velocimetry was a

SUBMITTER: Malone MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1955438 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature