Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria
Abstract Zebrafish are widely used in research, accounting for approximately 50% of all laboratory fish across Europe. Due to their rapid reproduction and aging, effective and practical euthanasia methods are necessary for managing large stocks. This study investigated whether adult zebrafish can be...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87540-4 |
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| author | Ulla Saarinen Erika Sundell Lynne Sneddon Albin Gräns |
| author_facet | Ulla Saarinen Erika Sundell Lynne Sneddon Albin Gräns |
| author_sort | Ulla Saarinen |
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| description | Abstract Zebrafish are widely used in research, accounting for approximately 50% of all laboratory fish across Europe. Due to their rapid reproduction and aging, effective and practical euthanasia methods are necessary for managing large stocks. This study investigated whether adult zebrafish can be euthanised by delivering an electrical current directly via the water in their housing aquaria. For this, portable plate electrodes were developed for 3.5 and 8.0 L Tecniplast™ housing aquaria. Our results show that adult zebrafish can be euthanised in groups (5 fish per litre) with electrical fields and current densities of at least 6 or 7 VRMS cm−1, and 0.7 or 0.8 ARMS dm−2 in 3.5–8 L aquaria, respectively, when delivered for 30 s in water at 28 °C with a conductivity of 800 µS cm−1 at 50 Hz. If widely implemented, this technique could improve the welfare of the vast number of zebrafish used across the world. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-97396c8a68f0487882d7a182c0d809cc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-97396c8a68f0487882d7a182c0d809cc2025-01-26T12:29:02ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-011511810.1038/s41598-025-87540-4Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquariaUlla Saarinen0Erika Sundell1Lynne Sneddon2Albin Gräns3Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of GothenburgDepartment of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesAbstract Zebrafish are widely used in research, accounting for approximately 50% of all laboratory fish across Europe. Due to their rapid reproduction and aging, effective and practical euthanasia methods are necessary for managing large stocks. This study investigated whether adult zebrafish can be euthanised by delivering an electrical current directly via the water in their housing aquaria. For this, portable plate electrodes were developed for 3.5 and 8.0 L Tecniplast™ housing aquaria. Our results show that adult zebrafish can be euthanised in groups (5 fish per litre) with electrical fields and current densities of at least 6 or 7 VRMS cm−1, and 0.7 or 0.8 ARMS dm−2 in 3.5–8 L aquaria, respectively, when delivered for 30 s in water at 28 °C with a conductivity of 800 µS cm−1 at 50 Hz. If widely implemented, this technique could improve the welfare of the vast number of zebrafish used across the world.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87540-4Danio rerioHumane killingStunningAnimal welfareElectrocutionGill ventilation |
| spellingShingle | Ulla Saarinen Erika Sundell Lynne Sneddon Albin Gräns Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria Scientific Reports Danio rerio Humane killing Stunning Animal welfare Electrocution Gill ventilation |
| title | Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria |
| title_full | Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria |
| title_fullStr | Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria |
| title_short | Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria |
| title_sort | novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria |
| topic | Danio rerio Humane killing Stunning Animal welfare Electrocution Gill ventilation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87540-4 |
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