Behavioral Screening of Alcohol Effects and Individual Differences in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Abstract Aim To better understand the individual differences that make up a population, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different alcoholic concentrations on the behavioral profiles of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Methods For this purpose, adult animals were separated into two behavioral profiles: bold and shy, according to the emergence order. Bold and shy fish were individually tested for exploration after exposure to the drug. Acute exposure treatments were alcohol 0.00, 0.10, 0.25 and 0.50%. The behavioral parameters evaluated were speed while moving, maximum speed, total distance traveled and distance from the bottom of the tank. Results For the groups that did not receive alcohol, bold animals showed higher speed while moving. Shy 0.00% and shy 0.10% had the highest maximum speed compared with other concentrations and profiles. For the distance from the bottom tank, our results showed that the increase induced by the low acute dose (0.10%) was observed for both profiles. Conclusions Our results corroborate with previous findings that alcohol affects the behavioral profiles of zebrafish differently, with bold animals apparently more resistant to these changes.