Rapid, non-destructive and volumetric characterization of zebrafish tumor models using Jones-matrix optical coherence tomography

The zebrafish is an essential animal model in pre-clinical research, especially in the field of cancer investigations. A polarization sensitive Jones matrix optical coherence tomography (JM-OCT) prototype operating at 1310 nm was utilized to investigate adult control and tumor zebrafish models. Various anatomical features were characterized based on their inherent scattering and polarization properties. A motorized translation stage in combination with the polarization-senstive OCT prototype enabled large field-of-view imaging to investigate vast areas in adult zebrafish in a non-destructive way. The reflectivity, and polarization parameters such as the birefringence and the degree of polarization uniformity (DOPU) were utilized to investigate differences in tumor versus control tissue regions.

Automated summary

The zebrafish is a crucial animal model in cancer research, and a polarization sensitive Jones matrix optical coherence tomography prototype is utilized to non-destructively investigate tumor and control tissue differences in adult zebrafish.