Studies on the effect of dietary bioactive compounds on the model organism, zebrafish
Derivatives from plants and microorganisms including microalgae represent an abundant but underexplored source of bioactive compounds. There is growing interest in using them for their health promoting benefits as well as for their ability to combat diseases. The potential use of these products is not only for humans, but also for farmed animals including fish.
Aims: In the proposed series of studies, we aim to examine several bioactive compounds from terrestrial plants, macroalgae, microalgae and microorganisms including yeast and bacteria. These derivatives are either commercially marketed or developed in nationally- or internationally funded research projects. Hence, we do not expect adverse effects of the products we plan to examine in the proposed trials.
Expected value: The common goal of the multiple investigations is to employ the products for better animal and human welfare. To this end, zebrafish, which is a model species for both aquaculture as well as biomedical research, will be used. We will use molecular and histological methods to assess the mitigation of several diet-related disorders in fish as well as humans. If the feed additive is found effective, we can recommend the industry to adopt a nutritional strategy for better health management.
Animals and total number: Both larvae and adults of zebrafish (Danio rerio) will be used for the studies.
For all the studies, 20250 animals will be reared in the laboratories of the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (Adults: 9450; larvae: 10800). However, we will reuse 6705 animals.
3Rs and welfare: Fish welfare is of paramount importance in the proposed studies. Replacement is not possible as we want to demonstrate the benefit of our experimental procedure for better health management for farmed fish as well as humans. Though we will employ fish cell-line for screening purposes, we must consider live animal experiments to demonstrate the systemic effects and the benefits on the whole organism. Our experience in handling similar studies will enable us to continually refine the methods adopted, to minimize suffering of the experimental animals. We will use only the minimum number of fish for each study. The sacrifice of a small number of fish for better welfare of the cultured fish, other production animals and human community can, therefore, be viewed positively from an ethical standpoint. The procedures to be implemented in the study are considered to cause only mild suffering for the fish. The fish will be sacrificed at the end of the study as per the approved procedures.
Aims: In the proposed series of studies, we aim to examine several bioactive compounds from terrestrial plants, macroalgae, microalgae and microorganisms including yeast and bacteria. These derivatives are either commercially marketed or developed in nationally- or internationally funded research projects. Hence, we do not expect adverse effects of the products we plan to examine in the proposed trials.
Expected value: The common goal of the multiple investigations is to employ the products for better animal and human welfare. To this end, zebrafish, which is a model species for both aquaculture as well as biomedical research, will be used. We will use molecular and histological methods to assess the mitigation of several diet-related disorders in fish as well as humans. If the feed additive is found effective, we can recommend the industry to adopt a nutritional strategy for better health management.
Animals and total number: Both larvae and adults of zebrafish (Danio rerio) will be used for the studies.
For all the studies, 20250 animals will be reared in the laboratories of the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture (Adults: 9450; larvae: 10800). However, we will reuse 6705 animals.
3Rs and welfare: Fish welfare is of paramount importance in the proposed studies. Replacement is not possible as we want to demonstrate the benefit of our experimental procedure for better health management for farmed fish as well as humans. Though we will employ fish cell-line for screening purposes, we must consider live animal experiments to demonstrate the systemic effects and the benefits on the whole organism. Our experience in handling similar studies will enable us to continually refine the methods adopted, to minimize suffering of the experimental animals. We will use only the minimum number of fish for each study. The sacrifice of a small number of fish for better welfare of the cultured fish, other production animals and human community can, therefore, be viewed positively from an ethical standpoint. The procedures to be implemented in the study are considered to cause only mild suffering for the fish. The fish will be sacrificed at the end of the study as per the approved procedures.