Meeting Abstract

P3.51  Saturday, Jan. 5  The Effect of Sex & Strain on Swimming Performance and Behavior of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) RACINE, Matt L*; OSWALD, Mary E; RODNICK, Ken J; ROBISON , Barrie D; University of Idaho; University of Idaho; Idaho State University; University of Idaho mracine@vandals.uidaho.edu

Previous studies involving zebrafish swim performance have accounted for variables such as fin shape and size, temperature effects, and exercise training. However, none have accounted for two important factors: sexual dimorphism in physiology, and inter-strain variation. To investigate the effects of physiological sexual dimorphism and inter-strain variation on swimming performance, zebrafish from two strains (Scientific Hatcheries: SH and Pargana South: PS) were placed in swim tunnels and subjected to standardized stepwise increases in water velocity. The results of these swim trials were used to determine the maximum absolute sustained swimming velocity (standardized for body length: U_std) of the zebrafish, as well as differences in various behaviors associated with swim performance, including tunnel position preference, burst/coast activity, and number of turns. Experiment wide mean critical swimming velocity (mean U_std = 17.6 BL/s) was consistent with previous estimates for zebrafish, however we observed significant strain and strain*sex effects for this variable. Although there was no significant difference in swim performance between males and females within the same strain, the SH males had a significantly higher U_std than PS males and females. Significant strain differences were also observed in tunnel position preference and burst/coast behavior, but not turning frequency. Scientific Hatcheries fish spent more time in the upstream portion of the swim tunnel, while PS fish had a higher frequency of burst/coast behavior. These differences in swimming behavior were primarily observed at velocities higher than 26 cm/s. Overall, our data indicate that subsequent studies of teleost swim performance should account for both sex and strain as potential sources of variation.