Investigating the Interplay of Social Defeat Stress and Personality in Male and Female Zebrafish

This study investigates the effects of social defeat stress on zebrafish, focusing on the interplay between personality traits and stress responses. Using two lines of zebrafish with different coping styles (shy and bold), the research examines how these inherited traits influence stress responses in both male and female fish. The study finds that personality has a stronger impact on stress response than social rank, although lower social rank exacerbates stress effects, leading to health impairments such as increased gut inflammation and skin injuries. The findings underscore the importance of considering personality traits in stress research and support the notion that chronic stress can impair health.