| Summary: | Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a classical age-related disease, which affects millions of patients worldwide. To further understand the pathophysiology and to develop therapeutic strategies for this disease, animal models play a significant role. <i>Nothobranchius furzeri</i> is an established model for accelerated aging that spontaneously develops spinal deformities. Although the bone properties of <i>N. furzeri</i> are well described, characteristics of the intervertebral discs are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the intervertebral discs of healthy and deformed <i>N. furzeri</i>. Material and Methods: Intervertebral properties of healthy and deformed <i>N. furzeri</i> were investigated in 8-, 12-, 18- and 21.5-week-old male fish of the GRZ strain. For histological evaluations the fish were decalcified, paraffin-embedded and stained with (1) hematoxylin and eosin, (2) toluidine blue and (3) alcian blue/picrosirius red. Results: 8-week-old and deformed <i>N. furzeri</i> showed spongy-like tissue containing vacuolated notochord cells and a beginning formation of fibrous tissue in the central area. Older healthy fish showed fibrous tissue in the central region and a spongy-like tissue in the peripheral region. Conclusion: Our study revealed age- and disease-related alterations of the vertebral discs in <i>N. furzeri</i>. Further studies should investigate the utility of <i>N. furzeri</i> as a model for degenerative spine diseases.
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