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Electrical Stunning does not affect Brain Tissue Integrity and Stress Response in Larval Zebrafish

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Electrical stunning is a humane euthanasia method for larval zebrafish, and a suitable euthanasia protocol has recently been established. Here, we assess the associated stress response and tissue integrity. When compared to MS-222 overdose and hypothermia, electrical stunning caused no significant Hsp70 increase. Brain tissue was preserved and muscle tissue affected only slightly. Our results support the suitability of electrical stunning for humane euthanasia and artifact-free post-mortem analyses.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.64898/2026.09.04.749313

Authors: David-Samuel Burkhardt, Kevin Schultz, Michael Glaser, Stefanie Krais, Demis Maile, Heinz-R. Köhler, Rita Triebskorn, Aristides B. Arrenberg

Institution: University of Tübingen

Language: English

Topic: Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7211880394

Cites: 12

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Related to: 10