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Developmental exposure to methimazole increases anxiety behavior in zebrafish
Masha Reider1, Victoria P Connaughton1
1Department of Biology.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|July 28, 2015
Summary
Early life hypothyroidism in zebrafish, induced by methimazole (MMI), significantly increased anxiety-like behaviors. These effects were prolonged but not permanent, showing specific behavioral alterations without widespread developmental defects.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Thyroid hormones are crucial for vertebrate development, impacting major organ systems.
- Hypothyroidism during critical developmental periods can lead to significant defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific behavioral effects of early-life hypothyroidism.
- To assess changes in anxiety, shoaling, vision, and locomotion in zebrafish exposed to methimazole.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish larvae were exposed to methimazole (MMI) for the first 10 days of life.
- Behavioral tests (novel tank, startle response) were conducted between 10 and 30 days postfertilization.
- Comparisons were made between treated and control groups during and after MMI exposure.
Main Results:
- MMI treatment significantly increased anxiety behaviors in zebrafish.
- These anxiety effects persisted for several days after MMI removal.
- Shoaling and visual behaviors were not significantly affected by MMI treatment within the experimental parameters.
Conclusions:
- Early-life hypothyroidism specifically alters anxiety responses in zebrafish.
- These behavioral changes indicate a prolonged effect of developmental thyroid disruption.
- Thyroid system disruption can lead to specific behavioral alterations without indiscriminate developmental defects.
