Environmental enrichment modulates the response to chronic stress in zebrafish
Matheus Marcon1, Ricieri Mocelin1, Radharani Benvenutti1
1Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia e Comportamento (LAPCOM), Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite 500/305, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-170, Brazil.
Abstract:
Several studies have shown that manipulations to the housing environment modulate susceptibility to stress in laboratory animals, mainly in rodents. Environmental enrichment (EE) is one such manipulation that promotes neuroprotection and neurogenesis, besides affecting behaviors such as drug self-administration. Zebrafish are a popular and useful animal model for behavioral neuroscience studies; however, studies evaluating the impact of housing conditions in this species are scarce. In this study, we verified the effects of EE on behavioral (novel tank test) and biochemical [cortisol and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] parameters in zebrafish submitted to unpredictable chronic stress (UCS). Consistent with our previous findings, UCS increased anxiety-like behavior, cortisol and ROS levels in zebrafish. EE for 21 or 28 days attenuated the effects induced by UCS on behavior and cortisol, and prevented the effects on ROS levels. Our findings reinforce the idea that EE exerts neuromodulatory effects across species, reducing vulnerability to stress and its biochemical impact. Also, these results indicate that zebrafish is a suitable model animal to study the behavioral effects and neurobiological mechanisms related to EE.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Responses to Salt Stress
Stress Response System
Alarm stage
In the alarm stage, the body's...
Psychological Responses to Stress
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria
Responses to Drought and Flooding


