Multicontrast investigation of in vivo wildtype zebrafish in three development stages using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Significance: The scattering and polarization characteristics of various organs of in vivo wildtype zebrafish in three development stages were investigated using a non-destructive and label-free approach. The presented results showed a promising first step for the usability of Jones-matrix optical coherence tomography (JM-OCT) in zebrafish-based research. Aim: We aim to visualize and quantify the scatter and polarization signatures of various zebrafish organs for larvae, juvenile, and young adult animals in vivo in a non-invasive and label-free way. Approach: A custom-built polarization-sensitive JM-OCT setup in combination with a motorized translation stage was utilized to investigate live zebrafish. Depth-resolved scattering (intensity and attenuation coefficient) and polarization (birefringence and degree of polarization uniformity) properties were analyzed. OCT angiography (OCT-A) was utilized to investigate the vasculature label-free and non-destructively. Results: The scatter and polarization signatures of the zebrafish organs such as the eye, gills, and muscles were investigated. The attenuation coefficient and birefringence changes between 1- and 2-month-old animals were evaluated in selected organs. OCT-A revealed the vasculature of in vivo larvae and juvenile zebrafish in a label-free manner. Conclusions: JM-OCT offers a rapid, label-free, non-invasive, tissue specific, and three-dimensional imaging tool to investigate in vivo processes in zebrafish in various development stages.