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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish
Published on: May 1, 2019
Tryptophan alleviates neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress in zebrafish
Ana C V V Giacomini1, Audren S Piassetta2, Rafael Genario2
1Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
Abstract:
Stressful experiences are related to the triggering of anxiety and mood disorders. Tryptophan (amino acid precursor of serotonin synthesis) emerges as important treatment of these disorders. Here, we evaluate the effects of pre-treatment with tryptophan (300 mg/L) and fluoxetine (50 μg/L) in response to acute stress in zebrafish. Overall, acute stress decreased the distance traveled, entries and time in top of tank, as well as increased the cortisol levels, demonstrating an anxiogenic behavior. Tryptophan and fluoxetine prevented anxiogenic effects. This study showed the importance of tryptophan and fluoxetine in the regulation of stress and anxiety-like behavior in adult zebrafish. Collectively, our data support tryptophan effects on stress responses in zebrafish and reinforce the growing utility of this aquatic model to screen CNS therapies.
