Assessment of Neurobehavioral Parameters in Zebrafish Larvae in a Rotenone-induced Parkinson’s-like Disease Model
Renatta Priscilla Ferreira Silva
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil and Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n 50780-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.
Aline Amanda da Silva
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil and Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n 50780-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.
Samara da Silva Gomes
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil.
Jadson Freitas da Silva
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil.
Pedro Lucas Pereira de Mendonça
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil.
André Lucas Corrêa de Andrade
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil and Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n 50780-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.
João Vitor Alves Vasconcelos
Departamento de Física (DF), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil.
Anderson Luiz da Rocha e Barbosa
Departamento de Física (DF), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil.
Antônio Rodrigues de Castro Romaguera
Departamento de Física (DF), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil.
Pabyton Gonçalves Cadena *
Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brasil and Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n 50780-901 Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Rotenone exposure is used to generate Parkinson’s-like phenotypes in zebrafish; however, selecting larval exposure concentrations that produce measurable behavioural changes while maintaining survival requires careful assessment.
Objective: This study assessed sequential neurobehavioural parameters in zebrafish larvae exposed to rotenone and examined responses to levodopa.
Methods: Larvae were exposed from 72 to 144 hours post-fertilisation to nominal rotenone concentrations of 5.00–15.00 µg/L. Levodopa, combined with benserazide, was evaluated as a pharmacological reference. Survival and responses in the thigmotaxis, touch sensitivity, optomotor response and bouncing balls tests were assessed. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s test.
Results: Survival was significantly reduced at rotenone concentrations of 12.00 and 15.00 µg/L. Thigmotaxis and touch responses were impaired from 11.00 µg/L, while optomotor measures showed concentration-dependent changes. In the bouncing balls test, the percentage of larvae occupying the non-stimulus area and the grouping response were altered at higher concentrations. Levodopa attenuated most rotenone-associated behavioural changes, although it reduced average swimming speed.
Conclusions: Exposure beginning at 72 hours post-fertilisation produced measurable, concentration-dependent neurobehavioural responses. Concentrations of 11.00 and 11.25 µg/L offered a balance between detectable responses and larval survival under the reported conditions. The sequential assays may support future evaluation of candidate compounds in this model.
Keywords: Parkinson’s-like disease, zebrafish larvae, Danio rerio, rotenone, levodopa, thigmotaxis, touch sensitivity, optomotor response, bouncing balls test, neurobehavioural assessment