Examining behavioural test sensitivity and locomotor proxies of anxiety-like behaviour in zebrafish

Abstract

This study assessed the sensitivity of four anxiety-like behaviour paradigms in zebrafish: the novel tank dive test, shoaling test, light/dark test, and the less common shoal with novel object test. A second goal was to measure the extent to which the main effect measures are related to locomotor behaviours to determine whether swimming velocity and freezing (immobility) are indicative of anxiety-like behaviour. Using the well-established anxiolytic, chlordiazepoxide, we found the novel tank dive to be most sensitive followed by the shoaling test. The light/dark test and shoaling plus novel object test were the least sensitive. A principal component analysis and a correlational analysis also showed the locomotor variables, velocity and immobility, did not predict the anxiety-like behaviours across all behaviour tests.

Involvement of the Melanocortin System in the Regulation of Circadian and Behavioural Mechanisms in Zebrafish

“…The NTDT has been shown to be the most sensitive test for assessing anxietylike behaviour in fish Kysil et al, 2017;, and the results correlate well with those of the open field test Johnson et al, 2023). Our findings in the NTDT confirmed the increased anxiety-like behaviour in the fish.…”

“…When a new object was introduced into the central area of the test tank after the animals had already adapted to the new environment, most of the asip1 Tg animals failed to approach the object again. This cautious/fearful behaviour also indicates and reinforces anxiety-like responses in transgenic animals (Johnson et al, 2023).…”

“…were obtained in goldfish after ICV administration of the MC4R chemical antagonist HS024 (Watanabe et al, 2021). This result has been interpreted as a reversal effect of the antagonist on the anxiogenic effect of centrally administered α-MSH (Watanabe et al, 2021), but assessing only time spent in the peripheral area does not seem to fully predict anxiety-like behaviour in fish (Prut & Belzung, 2003;Johnson et al, 2023). When a new object was introduced into the central area of the test tank after the animals had already adapted to the new environment, most of the asip1 Tg animals failed to approach the object again.…”

Evaluation of behavioral and neurochemical changes induced by carbofuran in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…The novel tank test (NTT) is a well-established tool for assessing the effects of anxiety-like behavior modulating interventions in zebrafish (Kysil et al 2017; Johnson et al 2023). It capitalizes on the natural behavior exhibited when these fish encounter a novel environment.…”

Social buffering of behavioural stress response in two fish species, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)

“…The contrasting effects on activity in the two species may be interpreted in several ways. Considering that in most species low levels of activity are generally associated with an antipredator response and are therefore considered evidence of stress (Barreto et al., 2010; Blaser et al., 2010; Johnson et al., 2023; Yoshida, 2021), one may speculate that social buffering occurred only for Nile tilapia. This interpretation is however inconsistent with the results of the other variables, which suggest social buffering also for koi carp.…”