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POSTER PRESENTATION / POSTER SUNUM

Model Organism in Pain Research: Zebrafish

Semi Sertaç BAĞIRSAKÇI 1,2,* Ender YARSAN 2

1 Ankara University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, TÜRKIYE
2 Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, TÜRKIYE

*Correspound Author: ssbagirsakci@ankara.edu.tr

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an important model organism widely used in biological

research due to its genetic similarity to humans, transparent embryo, ease of breeding, and
low maintenance costs. Its 70% genetic similarity and 84% disease similarity to humans

make this species prominent in disease modeling, drug discovery, and toxicology studies. In
recent years, increasing evidence that nociception and pain mechanisms in fish function

similarly to those in mammals has made the zebrafish a valuable model for pain research.
Techniques used to create pain models in zebrafish include acetic acid, fin clipping,

allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde, histamine, Freund's adjuvant, formalin test, and

temperature changes. As a result of these applications, behavioral responses such as
decreased locomotor activity, changes in swimming speed, and increased opercular beat

frequency can be observed in fish. Opioids, anesthetics, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs are preferred to alleviate the resulting behavioral responses and prevent pain,

depending on the mechanism of action.
Advanced techniques such as behavioral tests (writhing test, locomotor activity

analysis), molecular markers (RT-PCR, Western blot, in situ hybridization), fluorescent
imaging, and optogenetics are used to detect pain. These methods contribute to the

understanding of the neurological and molecular basis of pain.
The presence of pain receptors in zebrafish that are similar to those in humans allows

this model to be used in the preclinical evaluation of new analgesics. The effective use of

zebrafish in pain studies has significant potential in terms of both animal welfare and the
development of new treatment approaches. Therefore, research on pain mechanisms and

assessment methods in zebrafish needs to be increased.
Keywords: Pain, Danio rerio, Model organism, Nociception, Zebrafish.

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