Poster – Efficiency in Zebrafish Research: A Comparative Analysis Using the Automated EggSorter

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a crucial model organism in biomedical research owing to their genetic resemblance to humans, optical transparency in embryonic stages, and accelerated development. Since the beginning of this year, our zebrafish facility has generated an estimated 438,197 embryos, out of which 33,437 embryos were used to facilitate a diverse range of experimental endeavors. The efficient management of substantial amounts of embryos is crucial for ensuring experimental repeatability, enabling high-throughput screening, and enhancing workflow efficiency.

Conventional manual methods for counting and sorting are not only laborious and time-consuming but also provide ergonomic hazards. The everyday counting and sorting of substantial quantities can result in musculoskeletal strain, causing discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and back among workers. We have introduced an automated embryo counter/sorter to reduce the load on personnel and minimize the time spent on counting, allowing it to be better allocated to other tasks. Since the introduction of the EggSorter, a total of 117,956 embryos were produced, out of which 106,186 (90.02%) embryos were counted on the machine.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficiency, accuracy, and time efficiency of an automated method. This study aims to evaluate the potential health benefits of minimizing manual handling, including the reduction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Using the EggSorter can facilitate enhanced precision, enabling staff to reallocate time to other research endeavors and improve overall operational efficiency. This comparative research underscores the need for implementing automated systems to manage substantial embryo volumes, thereby ensuring experimental reliability, operational efficiency, and the welfare of individuals.