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

This thesis 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 study examines how these inherited traits influence reactions to stress in both male and female fish. The research finds that personality has a stronger impact on stress response than social rank, although lower social rank exacerbates stress effects, leading to health issues like 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.