The Effect of Prednisone on Cleft Palate Malformation in Embryonic Zebrafish
Abigail Wills, Madison Ranalli, David HF Jeffrey, Georgia Carolina Kay
Cleft palates can cause challenges with speaking, eating, and breathing, potentially requiring reconstructive surgery. While clefts are the most common congenital craniofacial malformation, the cause remains largely unknown. However, there has found to be correlation between craniofacial abnormalities and glucocorticoids. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the corticosteroid, prednisone, on cleft palate formation in embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio). In this study, embryos of six hours postfertilization were treated with a single dose of 0.5 or 5 μM of prednisone solubilized with DMSO. A random sample of 10-12 embryos from each group were examined 12 days after treatment and an open-mouth phenotype was used to classify zebrafish as having a cleft palate. A Chi-squared test was utilized for data analysis. There was found to be no significant difference between cleft palate malformation in zebrafish exposed to prednisone and zebrafish not exposed to prednisone. This data suggests that there is no correlation between prednisone and the formation of cleft palate in zebrafish embryos.
Abigail (Abby) Wills is a senior biology major with a pre-veterinary emphasis and minors in chemistry and psychology. She is a member of the Lander University Honors College, TriBeta National Biological Honor Society, and Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine after graduating from Lander in May 2022.
Madison Ranalli is a senior biology major with a pre-med emphasis and minor in chemistry. She is involved with the Lander University Honors College, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, TriBeta National Biological Honor Society, and Lander University Pre-M.D. Organization. She plans to attend medical school after graduating from Lander in May 2022.
David HF Jeffrey is a current undergraduate student studying biology at Lander University. He will graduate from Lander with a B.S. in biology and minors in chemistry and environmental science. He plans on continuing his studies after Lander in a biology Ph.D. program.
Georgia Carolina Kay is a current undergraduate student studying biology with an emphasis in pre-vet at Lander University. She will graduate from Lander with a B.S. in biology and minors in chemistry and business management. She plans on graduating and finding a career in the veterinary medicine field.