Support material for the acclimatisation of zebrafish prior to experiments
To achieve reliable research results, animals are commonly acclimatised after having experienced something stressful, for example after being transported. In order to help researchers when choosing the length of acclimatisation for zebrafish prior to experiments, the Swedish 3Rs Center has produced a support material.
Animals can experience stress when they are being transported, regrouped, or when their circadian rhythm is being altered. After these types of events, animals should be acclimatised so that the stress does not have a negative impact on the research results. How long the process of acclimatisation needs to be depends on several factors, such as the reason for the stress, the conditions of the new environment and the characteristics of the individual. We have created a support material that is meant to help researchers when choosing the length of acclimatisation for zebrafish, depending on their current circumstances.
Included in the support material is information about stress and how it can affect research results, results from a survey about when and how zebrafish are acclimatised in Sweden, as well as a compilation of scientific literature on the subject. The compilation of scientific literature includes information about the zebrafish as well as other fish species since there is not much scientific information available specifically about acclimatisation of zebrafish.
The material can be of help for researchers, animal welfare bodies and animal ethics committees.
This support material is also available in Swedish.