Light of different wavelengths influence stress response in the monoamines of zebrafish brain

Abstract

Environment plays a major role in conditioning the physiological functions of all organisms. Any slight changes in the perceived surroundings bring about behavioural, neurological and occasionally physical changes in the organism. In this study, the main focus was to quantify the neurotransmitter levels in the total brain of zebrafish exposed to different wavelengths of light 300 - 700 nm (daylight), 650 – 700 nm (red) and 450 – 490 nm (blue) within the tanks. HPLC with the PDA detection method was administered to quantify the levels in each group. Serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were detected in all three groups with 1hr exposure. Dopamine (DA) was less than the detectable level in all groups. Levels of E and NE increased in both red and blue groups compared to the daylight group indicating an acute stress response, while 5-HT levels decreased. Light affects the rhythms and functioning of the brain, this study takes a closer look at monoamine regulation as a response to light stimuli in female zebrafish.