Effects of low dose radiation on behavior rhythm of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Biological rhythm refers to the internal regulation of various life activities of an organism, which are determined by the specific time structure sequences of each individual. Behavior rhythm is the most intuitive embodiment of biological rhythm. To study the effect of low dose radiation on behavioral rhythm, zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used as a model organism in this study. The early embryos of zebrafish were irradiated at doses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 Gy to observe the changes in zebrafish development, circadian rhythm, key clock genes, related RNA and protein expression, and melatonin. The results revealed that 0.1 and 1 Gy radiation could lead to different degrees of telencephalic nerve cell apoptosis and the formation of vacuolar structures. 0.1 and 1 Gy radiation could reduce the hatching rate of zebrafish embryos at 72 hpf and delay embryo hatching. The analysis of circadian behavior at 120 hpf demonstrated that 1 Gy dose of radiation altered the circadian rhythm of zebrafish, as well as decreased the distance, amplitude, and phase of movement. RT-PCR analysis of the key clock genes (bmal1b, clock1a, per1b, per2, cry2, and nr1d1) involved in regulating circadian rhythm was performed. The results showed that 1 Gy radiation could interfere with the expression of clock genes in zebrafish embryos and upregulate bmal1b, clock1a, and per1b. Western blot experiments further verified the protein expression of key clock genes, bmal1b and clock. Detection of melatonin secretion at different time points over 24 h showed that radiation doses of 0.1 and 1 Gy could increase melatonin secretion. Based on these findings, it is speculated that a certain dose of radiation may affect melatonin secretion, which impacts the telencephalon structure and ontogeny of zebrafish, delays hatching, and changes the circadian rhythm. This effect is thought to be achieved through upregulating the expression of circadian rhythm genes, clock1a and per1b and related proteins, which may be responsible for the abnormal circadian rhythm caused by radiation. [Display omitted] •Low-dose radiation can stimulate life processes and cause microscopic damage to zebrafish.•Low-dose radiation affects melatonin secretion, and leads to behavioral rhythm disorder.•The genes of the biological clock show differential sensitivity to γ radiation.