3D Imaging of breeding tubercle innervation in the male zebrafish

Breeding tubercles (BTs) are epidermal structures found on the dorsal surface of pectoral fin rays of males bony fish, such as zebrafish. Females do not have BTs on their fins. BTs appear during the sexual maturation of male zebrafish. Males use their fins and BTs for grasping the female to stimulate egg laying. We want to determine whether BTs are sensory organs. Preliminary results show that BTs are highly innervated. However, the structure of the BTs and fin rays limits a complete visualization of the spatial pattern of innervation using the microscope equipment available in the Canadian team. The French team developed protocols to better “see through“ thick tissue and imaging technology allowing 3D reconstruction of the tissue. We propose to use these procedures on the intact fin and on the regenerating fin to better understand the innervation patterns of the BTs. We will also conduct experiments to determine the relationship between blood vessel network and innervation of the BTs.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marie-Andrée Akimenko

Student:

Partner:

Université Paris-Saclay (CNRS)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: