P-23 The Effects of Fluoxetine on Anxiety-Like Behaviours of Zebrafish (Danrio-rerio)
Author(s):
J Ramcharitar, R Lue Chin, J Atteih, D Balladin, S Rich- ardson, A Mohammed, A Persad, D Kumarsingh, JM Wood- Saloman
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: To assess whether fluoxetine can cause on observable anxiety-reducing behavioural change on zebrafish.
Methods: A total of 16 zebrafish were used in this study: half were treated withfluoxetine and the other half were untreated. Both groups of zebrafish underwent a startle cue test to evoke stress responses. The average proportion of time spent in the top half of the tank and the average number of erratic movements during each time interval were assessed.
Results: The difference between the average proportion of time spent in the top half of the tank was significantly different between the fluoxetine and control gorups (t(22) = 2.074, p , 0.05). Differences were observed in the averages number of erratic movements in the startle cue test for the fluoxetine , F (2,11) = 3.98, p =0.005 and control groups, F (2,11) = 3.98, p=0.001.
Conclusion: : Fluoxetine was shown to exert behavioural effects on treated zevrafish, most likely attributable to the anxiolytic effect of fluoxetine on the stress induced state of the tested animals.