Investigating the Mechanisms that Regulate Differences in Scleral Cartilage Morphology Amongst Teleosts
Date
2021-08-04T12:17:32Z
Authors
Zinck, Nicholas
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Abstract
The vertebrate ocular skeleton is comprised of the scleral ossicles and scleral cartilage. The scleral cartilage can vary drastically in morphology across vertebrate taxa, from a cup-like structure in reptiles and birds, to a narrow ring like structure around the equator of the eye in teleosts. Very little is known about the development of teleost scleral cartilage. Thus, this thesis aims to generate an understanding of the mechanisms that regulate teleost scleral cartilage development in morphology. The research presented in this thesis is divided into two main sections. A descriptive analysis of scleral cartilage development and morphology in the surface and Pachón cave morphs of the Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) as well as the zebrafish (Danio rerio) was conducted and several differences in the patterning of the development of this cartilage were found. Next, an inhibition experiment designed to disrupt FGF and TGF-ß pathway signaling during scleral cartilage development was conducted.
Description
This thesis examines the development of the scleral cartilage in teleost fish. Namely, the zebrafish and the Mexican tetra (surface and Pachón morphs). Chapter two contains a detailed description and histological analysis of scleral cartilage development in each type of fish. Chapter three describes an experiment in which inhibitors for fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) were injected into the intravitreal space of the zebrafish eye in order to disrupt scleral cartilage induction. Results are discussed in conjunction in Chapter four.
Keywords
Cartilage, Scleral Cartilage, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interaction, Induction, Zebrafish, Mexican Tetra, Cave Tetra, Intravitreal Injection, Skeleton, Cartilage Development, Chondrogenesis, Chondrocyte