Bamboo Shark contrast study.

Bamboo Shark contrast study.

Bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) are primarily nocturnal and live in Pacific and Indian Ocean coral reefs.  The bottom dwelling sharks are considered harmless and common in large aquariums.  A study was conducted between Sea World, the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – Northwest and Scarlet Imaging to document the anatomy of this species.  Additionally, the veterinary team at Sea World and Scarlet Imaging worked to develop anesthesia and live agent contrast imaging doses for bamboo sharks.  The numerous…

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Zebra Fish BriteVu Study

Zebra Fish BriteVu Study

Zebra fish (Danio rerio) are the most studied fish species.  From southeast Asia and popular in the pet trade, Zebra fish are a common vertebrate model in scientific research. These fish are used to study drugs, heart disease, reproduction, genetics and much more.  Their small size (about 1 inch long full grown) decreases their space requirements compared to other large research animals (like rats and pigs).  However, studying vascular models in such small animals poses its own challenges.  Hand made…

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Cane toad with BriteVu

Cane toad with BriteVu

Cane toads (Rhinella marina) originate from Central and South America. Over the past century, cane toads have been introduced into tropical and semi-tropical regions throughout the world. This world’s largest toad species has a voracious appetite and is highly toxic to potential predators. Because of these facts, cane toads are destructive to native animals and difficult to control adding to their status as invasive species. Amphibians in general are in world-wide decline. In response to this problem, the scientific community…

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Grouper (fish) perfused with BriteVu and BriteVu Enhancer

Grouper (fish) perfused with BriteVu and BriteVu Enhancer

Grouper fish (Epinephelus sp) perfused with BriteVu.  The composite image shows various layers of vasculature that lie beneath the dorsal fin (window on top), adjacent to the pectoral fin (window on bottom) and deep to the eye.  On the top, the perfused blood supply to the lateral line is seen coursing across the side of the fish.  On the bottom the blood supply to the intestines, liver and other vital organs is visualized through the skin and muscles.  Last, large…

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Queen Triggerfish perfused with BriteVu contrast agent

Queen Triggerfish perfused with BriteVu contrast agent

Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula) perfused with BriteVu.  The cardiovascular system of most fish is poorly studied.  The queen triggerfish is no exception and may in part be due to its armor like skin, deep narrow body and heart partially encased in bone making vascular access difficult.  BriteVu contrast agent has shown tremendous versatility and can be used under numerous conditions such as when perfusing new species.  To date, BriteVu has been used to perfuse numerous fish species.  A protocol using…

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Remora fish perfused with BriteVu

Remora fish perfused with BriteVu

Remora fish (Remora sp) perfused with BriteVu.  The cardiovascular system of most fish is poorly studied.  BriteVu perfusions offer an opportunity for researchers to study fish structures on a whole new level.  BriteVu contrast agent has shown tremendous versatility and can be used under numerous conditions such as when perfusing new species.  To date, BriteVu has been used to perfuse numerous fish species.  A protocol using BriteVu and BriteVu Enhancer was developed to perform whole fish perfusions in effort to study the…

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