Tactile stimulation and the association with brain monoamines in fish

• Grant number: 23/15708-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Eliane Gonçalves de Freitas
• Grantee: Bianca Cambiaghi e Silva
• Supervisor: Marta Sofia Candeias Soares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Aquário Vasco Da Gama, Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/04059-1 - Effect of tactile stimulation on the appeasement behavior of a neotropical cichlid fish, BP.MS

Abstract

Tactile stimulation reduces aggression and stress in teleost fish. Some studies have shown that brain monoamines (dopamine and serotonin) are associated with tactile stimulation, reducing aggression, anxiety and stress in mammals. Therefore, monoamines seem to be part of the physiological mechanism associated with these factors. Therefore, we will test the association between brain monoamines and tactile stimulation in fish. To do this, we will use an artificial stimulating apparatus. This consists of a rectangular PVC frame fixed in the center of the aquarium, with vertically attached plastic sticks containing silicone bristles on the sides. The fish are stimulated by passing between the bristles. For groups without tactile stimulation, the structure contains no bristles. Two studies will be carried out. In the first one, serotonin and dopamine levels will be assessed in the brain of isolated individuals of Geophagus iporangensis already submitted to two treatments (with - N=15 and without tactile stimulation - N=15). In the second study, individuals of Sparus aurata will remain under tactile stimulation for 7 days. Each fish will then be assigned to one of the three study treatments (D1 agonist injection, N=10; D1 antagonist injection, N=10; or control saline injection, N=10). After the intramuscular injection, the three groups will be inserted once again into the aquarium containing the stimulator, in order to analyze the post-treatment behavior of the individuals. It is expected that fish with dopamine inhibition will seek tactile stimulation more than individuals in the control group.