Analyzing the swimming ability of 2 days post fertilization zebrafish embryos can be a useful technique to study neuromuscular function. Here is a protocol for determining the time it takes for zebrafish embryos to swim a predetermined distance.
Zebrafish embryo media of choice (Goody et al., 2012)
Embryo ‘poker’ tool (e.g. segment of fishing line super glued in the end of a glass capillary tube, fire polished glass rod)
Figure 1. Embryo poker tool. This is a useful tool for the positioning and touch stimulus of zebrafish embryos. Fishing line (10 lb, 0.012 inch diameter) is super glued into the end of a glass capillary tube (Sutter Instruments, catalog number: BF100-50-10) with approximately 1 cm of overhang. The glass capillary tube is then wrapped in lab tape.
Equipment
Microscope with high-speed, digital video camera attachment (e.g. Zeiss SteREO Discovery.V12 with Zeiss Axiocam HSm)