PUBLICATION
Zebrafish visual sensitivity is regulated by a circadian clock
- Authors
- Li, L. and Dowling, J.E.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-981020-4
- Date
- 1998
- Source
- Visual neuroscience 15: 851-857 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Dowling, John E., Li, Lei
- Keywords
- circadian rhythm; dark adaptation; threshold; visual sensitivity; zebrafish
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Circadian Rhythm/physiology*
- Contrast Sensitivity/physiology*
- Dark Adaptation/physiology*
- Electroretinography
- Photic Stimulation
- Sensory Thresholds/physiology*
- Zebrafish
- PubMed
- 9764527 Full text @ Vis. Neurosci.
Citation
Li, L. and Dowling, J.E. (1998) Zebrafish visual sensitivity is regulated by a circadian clock. Visual neuroscience. 15:851-857.
Abstract
We have recently developed a behavioral assay, based on the escape response of fish to a threatening object, to analyze quantitatively the visual sensitivity of zebrafish. During the course of dark adaptation, we measure the threshold light intensity required to evoke an escape response. Under a normal light-dark (LD) cycle, thresholds for both the cone and rod systems are considerably lower in late afternoon hours than in early morning hours. Over a period of 24 h, zebrafish are most sensitive to visual stimuli prior to light off and least sensitive prior to light on. Under conditions of constant illumination, this rhythm of visual sensitivity persists for several days but is gradually lost. In constant light (LL), the rhythm persists 1-2 days; thereafter, visual thresholds at all times of the day converge at a level similar to thresholds measured in late afternoon hours in control animals. In constant darkness (DD). the rhythm persists at least 5 days; thereafter, it dampens to a level about a half-log unit less sensitive to that measured in the late afternoon hours in control animals. These data suggest that visual sensitivity in zebrafish is regulated by an endogenous circadian clock which functions to decrease the visual sensitivity.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping