PUBLICATION
Low Holding Densities Increase Stress Response and Aggression in Zebrafish
- Authors
- Andersson, M., Roques, J.A.C., Aliti, G.M., Ademar, K., Sundh, H., Sundell, K., Ericson, M., Kettunen, P.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-220530-6
- Date
- 2022
- Source
- Biology 11(5): (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Kettunen, Petronella
- Keywords
- behaviour, holding density, husbandry, water cortisol, welfare, zebrafish
- MeSH Terms
- none
- PubMed
- 35625453 Full text @ Biology (Basel)
Citation
Andersson, M., Roques, J.A.C., Aliti, G.M., Ademar, K., Sundh, H., Sundell, K., Ericson, M., Kettunen, P. (2022) Low Holding Densities Increase Stress Response and Aggression in Zebrafish. Biology. 11(5).
Abstract
With laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio) being an established and popular research model, there is a need for universal, research-based husbandry guidelines for this species, since guidelines can help promote good welfare through providing appropriate care. Despite the widespread use of zebrafish in research, it remains unclear how holding densities affect their welfare. Previous studies have mainly evaluated the effects of holding densities on a single parameter, such as growth, reproductive output, or social interactions, rather than looking at multiple welfare parameters simultaneously. Here we investigated how chronic (nine weeks) exposure to five different holding densities (1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 fish/L) affected multiple welfare indicators. We found that fish in the 1 fish/L density treatment had higher free water cortisol concentrations per fish, increased vertical distribution, and displayed aggressive behaviour more frequently than fish held at higher densities. On the other hand, density treatments had no effect on anxiety behaviour, whole-brain neurotransmitter levels, egg volume, or the proportion of fertilised eggs. Our results demonstrate that zebrafish can be held at densities between 4 and 16 fish/L without compromising their welfare. However, housing zebrafish in the density of 1 fish/L increased their stress level and aggressive behaviour.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping