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DRUG EFFECTS ON THE LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY OF LARVAL ZEBRAFISH.
Citation:
IRONS, T. D., R. C. MACPHAIL, D. L. HUNTER, AND S. J. PADILLA. DRUG EFFECTS ON THE LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY OF LARVAL ZEBRAFISH. Presented at Society of Toxicology, Seattle, WA, March 16 - 20, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
As part of an effort to develop a rapid in vivo screen for EPA’s prioritization of toxic chemicals, we have begun to characterize the locomotor activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae and the effects of prototype drugs.
Description:
As part of an effort to develop a rapid in vivo screen for EPA’s prioritization of toxic chemicals, we have begun to characterize the locomotor activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae and the effects of prototype drugs. Zebrafish larvae (6-7 days post-fertilization) were individually maintained in 96-well microtiter plates at 26°C and under a 14:10 light:dark cycle with lights on at 0830 hr. Drugs included nominal (non-lethal) concentrations of ethanol (0.5 – 2% v/v), d-amphetamine SO4 (0.08 – 40 μM) or cocaine (0.2 – 100 μM). For each drug, all doses and controls were present on each plate. A total of 12 – 32 larvae were exposed to each concentration. Locomotor activity was assessed using a Noldus video activity monitor and Ethovision 3.1 software to track each animal under either visual light or dark (infrared) conditions for up to 90 minutes post-dosing. Each of the three chemicals produced dose-related changes in activity. In general, low concentrations increased activity while higher concentrations decreased activity; similar patterns have been obtained in rodent tests of motor activity. These results indicate that very young zebrafish are sensitive to centrally active drugs, and that drug challenges may be conducted in a convenient, microtiter plate format.