The Effects of Varying Durations of Formalin Fixation on Larval Fathead Minnow's Pimephales promelas Genetic Utility
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
18-4-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
18-4-2016 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Mentor's Name
Shannon Fisher
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Second Mentor's Name
Nathaniel Lederman
Second Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Knowledge of early life history of fish is essential in the better understanding of aquatic ecosystems and communities, allowing more effective monitoring and managing of fish populations. However, most larval fish samples and collections are both fid and preserved in the field as sorting and identification process is timely. Currently, the two most often used fixatives and preservatives when fixing larvae are 10 % formalin solution or 90% ethyl alcohol, however when using alcohol morphology is often lost due to alcohol induced dehydration and when formalin is used DNA often becomes crosslinked and unusable. This study aims to determine if limiting exposure time to formalin prior to preservation in 90 % ethyl alcohol will decrease the cross linking effects of formalin on larvae’s genetics. Limiting exposure to 10% formalin prior to fixation is hypothesized to increase genetic utility. Specimens were obtained from Environmental Consulting &Testing Inc. and then fid in a 10% formalin solution for 12, 24 and 48 hours and then transferred into 90% ethyl alcohol. DNA was extracted from each larvae, amplified using PCR, and then ran through a gel electrophoresis. Results were quantified based on percent successful amplification per treatment group and compared using a Fisher’s Exact Test. Our data suggests a decreasing formalin exposure increases genetic utility.
The Effects of Varying Durations of Formalin Fixation on Larval Fathead Minnow's Pimephales promelas Genetic Utility
CSU Ballroom
Knowledge of early life history of fish is essential in the better understanding of aquatic ecosystems and communities, allowing more effective monitoring and managing of fish populations. However, most larval fish samples and collections are both fid and preserved in the field as sorting and identification process is timely. Currently, the two most often used fixatives and preservatives when fixing larvae are 10 % formalin solution or 90% ethyl alcohol, however when using alcohol morphology is often lost due to alcohol induced dehydration and when formalin is used DNA often becomes crosslinked and unusable. This study aims to determine if limiting exposure time to formalin prior to preservation in 90 % ethyl alcohol will decrease the cross linking effects of formalin on larvae’s genetics. Limiting exposure to 10% formalin prior to fixation is hypothesized to increase genetic utility. Specimens were obtained from Environmental Consulting &Testing Inc. and then fid in a 10% formalin solution for 12, 24 and 48 hours and then transferred into 90% ethyl alcohol. DNA was extracted from each larvae, amplified using PCR, and then ran through a gel electrophoresis. Results were quantified based on percent successful amplification per treatment group and compared using a Fisher’s Exact Test. Our data suggests a decreasing formalin exposure increases genetic utility.
Recommended Citation
Leba, Ryan and Coleman Mamaer. "The Effects of Varying Durations of Formalin Fixation on Larval Fathead Minnow's Pimephales promelas Genetic Utility." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/poster-session-A/10
