Effects of lithium on Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryonic development
Effects of lithium on zebrafish embryonic development are described in Stachel et al. (1993)
zebrafish normal developmentEffects during the development of the embryonic shield
Exposure to lilthium during an early sensitive embryonic stage disrupts pattern formation in the embryo by causing hyperdorsalization of the embryonic shield, a region that plays an important role in body pattern determination.
The embryonic shield forms at
50% epiboly (side view)
 View of control embryo from animal pole showing normal embryonic shield (top of image). |
 View of lithium treated embryo from animal pole showing radialized embryonic shield. |
Effects of lithium exposure on
gross phenotype of day-old embryos
 Normal day-old control embryo |
 Day-old lithium-treated embryo showing bustled phenotype |
Thanks to Bruce Appel for suggesting the experiment and Jimann Shin for making it happen.