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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.09.04.749313

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

Burkhardt, D.-S.·Schultz, K.·Glaser, M.·Krais, S.·Maile, D.·Koehler, H.-R.·Triebskorn, R.·Arrenberg, A. B.
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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.

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Burkhardt, D.-S., Schultz, K., Glaser, M., Krais, S., Maile, D., Koehler, H.-R., Triebskorn, R., Arrenberg, A. B.. 2026-09-07. Electrical Stunning does not affect Brain Tissue Integrity and Stress Response in Larval Zebrafish. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.04.749313

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