Fin clipping of zebrafish
The procedure is done for the purpose of genotyping zebrafish to identify specific transgenic individuals. A small piece of tissue is clipped from the tip of the caudal fin after the fish has been put under anesthezia. DNA is then biochemically extracted from the tissue for further analysis such as PCR or DNA sequencing.
The procedure is expected to cause a mild level of stress to the zebrafish. The stress is caused by the following factors:
- The fish will be handled by the person that will perform the procedure
- Placement in a Tricaine bath
- Recovering from the anesthesia after the procedure
The duration of the exposure of the above mentioned stress factors on the fish are short-termed, which results in a brief and transient stress load on the fish. The actual procedure of handling the fish and clipping the fin is considered not to cause sustained pain or any post-procedure impairment of physiological or behavioral functions. Because of these reasons, the whole procedure is considered to cause the fish a mild level of stress.
This evaluation of the stress load on the fish is based on the European Commission (EC) Working Group report on severity classification. One of the preconditions for this definition of the procedures expected stress level on the fish is that the fin grows back rapidly. The experience of the Kavli Institute zebrafish team is that the fin does indeed grow back very rapidly. It has frequently been experienced that the fin already after approximately one week has grown back almost completely.
Demands for reduction and improvement, as well as minimization of the stress factors mentioned above, is met by ensuring that the facility has clear and well established routines for the procedure. The personnel that perform the procedure are either experienced or thoroughly trained by other experienced personnel.
For this procedure we expect to use an estimate of 1000 zebrafish each year, although this number could vary due to the variable activity of the researchers as well.
The procedure is expected to cause a mild level of stress to the zebrafish. The stress is caused by the following factors:
- The fish will be handled by the person that will perform the procedure
- Placement in a Tricaine bath
- Recovering from the anesthesia after the procedure
The duration of the exposure of the above mentioned stress factors on the fish are short-termed, which results in a brief and transient stress load on the fish. The actual procedure of handling the fish and clipping the fin is considered not to cause sustained pain or any post-procedure impairment of physiological or behavioral functions. Because of these reasons, the whole procedure is considered to cause the fish a mild level of stress.
This evaluation of the stress load on the fish is based on the European Commission (EC) Working Group report on severity classification. One of the preconditions for this definition of the procedures expected stress level on the fish is that the fin grows back rapidly. The experience of the Kavli Institute zebrafish team is that the fin does indeed grow back very rapidly. It has frequently been experienced that the fin already after approximately one week has grown back almost completely.
Demands for reduction and improvement, as well as minimization of the stress factors mentioned above, is met by ensuring that the facility has clear and well established routines for the procedure. The personnel that perform the procedure are either experienced or thoroughly trained by other experienced personnel.
For this procedure we expect to use an estimate of 1000 zebrafish each year, although this number could vary due to the variable activity of the researchers as well.