Poorly controlled background genetics in animal models contributes to the lack of reproducibility that is increasingly recognized in biomedical research. The laboratory zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been an important model organism for decades in many research areas, yet inbred strains and traditionally managed outbred stocks are not available for this species. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as ‘inbred strains’ or ‘strains’, zebrafish wild-type lines possess background genetics that are often not well characterized, and breeding practices for these lines have not been consistent over time or among institutions. In this Perspective, we trace key milestones in the history of one of the most widely used genetic backgrounds, the AB line, to illustrate the dynamic complexity within an example background that is largely invisible when reading the scientific literature. Failure to adequately control for genetic background compromises the validity of experimental outcomes. We therefore propose that authors provide as much specific detail about the origin and genetic makeup of zebrafish lines as is reasonable and possible, and that the terms used to describe background genetics be applied in a way that is consistent with other fish and mammalian model organisms. We strongly encourage the adoption of genetic monitoring for the characterization of existing zebrafish lines, to help detect genetic contamination in breeding colonies and to verify the level of genetic heterogeneity in breeding colonies over time. Careful attention to background genetics will improve transparency and reproducibility, therefore improving the utility of the zebrafish as a model organism.

动物模型中背景遗传控制不佳，导致缺乏可重复性，这已在生物医学研究中得到越来越多的认可。斑马鱼实验室，达尼奥雷里奥在许多研究领域几十年来，它已经成为重要的模式生物，但是该物种没有自交系和传统管理的近交种群。有时，斑马鱼野生型品系被错误地称为“近交品系”或“品系”，其背景遗传通常没有得到很好的表征，而且这些品系的育种实践随着时间的推移或机构之间的一致性也不一致。在本《观点》中，我们追溯了使用最广泛的遗传背景之一AB线的历史上的重要里程碑，以说明示例背景中的动态复杂性，而在阅读科学文献时该背景在很大程度上是不可见的。无法充分控制遗传背景会损害实验结果的有效性。因此，我们建议作者尽可能合理地提供有关斑马鱼品系的起源和遗传组成的具体细节，并以与其他鱼类和哺乳动物模型生物相一致的方式使用描述背景遗传学的术语。我们强烈鼓励采用遗传监测来表征现有斑马鱼品系，以帮助检测繁殖群体中的遗传污染并验证随着时间的推移繁殖群体中遗传异质性的水平。仔细注意背景遗传学将提高透明度和可重复性，因此提高了斑马鱼作为模型生物的效用。并且用于描述背景遗传学的术语应以与其他鱼类和哺乳动物模型生物一致的方式应用。我们强烈鼓励采用遗传监测来表征现有斑马鱼品系，以帮助检测繁殖群体中的遗传污染并验证随着时间的推移繁殖群体中遗传异质性的水平。仔细注意背景遗传学将提高透明度和可重复性，因此提高了斑马鱼作为模型生物的效用。并且用于描述背景遗传学的术语应以与其他鱼类和哺乳动物模型生物一致的方式应用。我们强烈鼓励采用遗传监测来表征现有斑马鱼品系，以帮助检测繁殖群体中的遗传污染并验证随着时间的推移繁殖群体中遗传异质性的水平。仔细注意背景遗传学将提高透明度和可重复性，因此提高了斑马鱼作为模型生物的效用。帮助检测繁殖群体中的遗传污染，并验证随着时间推移繁殖群体中遗传异质性的水平。仔细注意背景遗传学将提高透明度和可重复性，因此提高了斑马鱼作为模型生物的效用。帮助检测繁殖群体中的遗传污染，并验证随着时间推移繁殖群体中遗传异质性的水平。仔细注意背景遗传学将提高透明度和可重复性，因此提高了斑马鱼作为模型生物的效用。