Development and characterization of a morphological scoring system for medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryo culture

摘要: Abstract Interest in non-mammalian alternatives to vivo animal teratogenicity testing has dramatically increased. However, few of these alternative screening systems have been critically evaluated or validated. In order characterize such tests, there is a need for reproducible and standardized means monitoring scoring development. To address this need, morphological system was developed medaka embryos. This paper presents demonstrates its application developmental toxicity evaluations. Medaka embryos were collected within 2 h post-fertilization cultured Petri dishes buffered saline until hatching. Thirteen developmentally different features selected, up six stages each feature defined assigned scores 0 5. Control as well teratogen-exposed (methylnitrosourea, 1–10 mM) assessed. Morphological calculated at 4 timepoints during Scores significantly related embryonic age showed dose-dependent decreases mean score even doses resulting low malformation percentages. These results suggest that the use fish embryo cultures can provide index development aid detection growth retardation dysmorphogenesis. will allow quantitative comparisons between experimental conditions possibly other (e.g., rodent) which already established.