Fin clipping and genotyping embryonic zebrafish at 3 days post-fertilization

Protocol Summary

Here we describe a method for high-throughput genotyping of live larval zebrafish as early as 72 h post-fertilization (hpf). Importantly, this technique allows rapid and cost-effective PCR-based genotyping from very small fin biopsies, which regenerate as the embryo develops, thereby allowing researchers to select embryos with desired genotypes to be raised to adulthood.

Protocol Schematic

Embryonic fin transection (A) Dotted line represents the site of transection at three days post-fertilization (dpf), black arrowhead highlights the pigment gap; white arrowhead, highlights the caudal limit of blood circulation. (B) Untransected embryonic fin at five dpf. (C) Embryonic zebrafish fin at five dpf, two days post-transection. Black arrowhead highlights blastema formation and ongoing fin regeneration.