PUBLICATION

Measuring behavioral and endocrine responses to novelty stress in adult zebrafish

Authors
Cachat, J., Stewart, A., Grossman, L., Gaikwad, S., Kadri, F., Chung, K.M., Wu, N., Wong, K., Roy, S., Suciu, C., Goodspeed, J., Elegante, M., Bartels, B., Elkhayat, S., Tien, D., Tan, J., Denmark, A., Gilder, T., Kyzar, E., Dileo, J., Frank, K., Chang, K., Utterback, E., Hart, P., and Kalueff, A.V.
ID
ZDB-PUB-101101-17
Date
2010
Source
Nature Protocols   5(11): 1786-1799 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Cachat, Jonathan, Kalueff, Allan V.
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Hydrocortisone/analysis
  • Models, Animal
  • Neurosciences/methods*
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
21030954 Full text @ Nat. Protoc.
Abstract
Several behavioral assays are currently used for high-throughput neurophenotyping and screening of genetic mutations and psychotropic drugs in zebrafish (Danio rerio). In this protocol, we describe a battery of two assays to characterize anxiety-related behavioral and endocrine phenotypes in adult zebrafish. Here, we detail how to use the 'novel tank' test to assess behavioral indices of anxiety (including reduced exploration, increased freezing behavior and erratic movement), which are quantifiable using manual registration and computer-aided video-tracking analyses. In addition, we describe how to analyze whole-body zebrafish cortisol concentrations that correspond to their behavior in the novel tank test. This protocol is an easy, inexpensive and effective alternative to other methods of measuring stress responses in zebrafish, thus enabling the rapid acquisition and analysis of large amounts of data. As will be shown here, fish anxiety-like behavior can be either attenuated or exaggerated depending on stress or drug exposure, with cortisol levels generally expected to parallel anxiety behaviors. This protocol can be completed over the course of 2 d, with a variable testing duration depending on the number of fish used.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping