Data from various stunning attempts for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus)
https://doi.org/10.5878/59q2-7h64
The study that this data supports aimed to evaluate the stunning effectiveness of various stunning attempts on Nile tilapia by measuring brain activity to assess neurological indicators of conscioussness/unconsciousness. Thus, this data set contains raw data from measurements of brain activity using electroencephalography in Nile tilapia. Data were collected before and after stunning attempts using the following stunning methods: Live chilling, mechanical stunning (percussion), electrical stunning and a combinational approach consisting of electrical stunning followed by direct throat cutting and chilling. The data is extracted from Labchart, where data was collected using a Powerlab and a Bioamp. The data contains the mean amplitude during 20-80 s during the 200 ms long light and dark phases. The data set also contains the mean amplitude during 10 s before short electrical exposure as well as the mean amplitude of the signal during the time that the epileptic-like seizure lasted after electrical exposure (i.e., 9-27 s). The data also include information on the time that visually evoked responses (VERs) were lost after stunning, as well as the induction time (when applicable) for the loss of VERs.
Documentation files
Documentation files
Citation and access
Citation and access
Data access level:
Creator/Principal investigator(s):
Research principal:
Principal's reference number:
- SLU.thv.2024.4.4-105-1
Data contains personal data:
No
Citation:
Language:
Method and outcome
Method and outcome
Unit of analysis:
Population:
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Study design:
- Observational study
- Experimental study
Description of study design:
Brain activity was measured using needle electrodes that were placed near the brain by penetrating the skin and underlying tissues. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used as a method to study how the fish responded to different stunning methods. That is, the baseline EEG of the fish was collected before any stunning was applied, and the fish then underwent one of four different stunning protocols. These were i) mechanical stunning by shooting the fish on the head with a non-penetrating bolt gun driven by pressurized air, ii) electrical stunning where both short electrical stunning (1 s) and longer electrical stunning (30 s) were tested, iii) live chilling where the fish was rapidly cooled down by adding ice cold water to tank, replacing the warm water immersing the fish iv) a combinational approach where electrical stunning for 30 s was followed by direct throat cutting and cooling. Before, during and after the stunning procedure, the fish were observed to note differences and/or deviations in behavior and physiological expressions (for example ventilation) and the EEG was measured.
Time period(s) investigated:
Species and taxons:
Data collection - Laboratory experiment
Data collection - Laboratory experiment
Mode of collection:
Laboratory experiment
Description of the mode of collection:
The EEG was collected using electrodes that picked up the electrical activity in the brain. By stimulating the fish with a repetitive visual stimulus, responses to the visual stimulus were evoked if the fish was conscious, while these responses were absent if the fish was unconscious. The repetitive stimuli used here was a light that was turned on and off at a frequency of 2 Hz whose duration (i.e., the time the light was turned on) was 5 ms per event. In order to provide the right conditions for being stimulated by the lamp, the room was otherwise kept dark. Multiple measurements (between xx-yy measurements) were overlapped to generate the average response over a period of time. The response during this time was in turn divided into two parts, each 200 ms long: the 200 ms long light phase (which revolved around the 5 ms of light turned on) and the 200 ms long dark phase, which followed the 200 ms light phase (and thus occurred before the lamp was lit for 5 ms). Data were collected using a Powerlab and the signal was amplified by a BioAmp. The data was extracted from Labchart and transferred to excel for further analyses and calculations.
Time period(s) for data collection:
2021-01-31 - 2021-04-30
Data collector:
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
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ROR
Instrument
Instrument
Name:
Electrodes
Description of the instrument:
Electrodes to pic up the electrical actviity in the brain was made from 1.5 mm shielded silver wires, also from AD instruments, soldered onto 21 gauge needles.
Name:
PowerLab
Description of the instrument:
A 16 SP Powerlab from AD instruments was used to collect the EEG signals, as well as the signals from the solar panel every time the light was turned on
Name:
Stunning machine for electrical stunning in water
Description of the instrument:
A stunning machine for in water electrical stunning made by Ace Aquatec was used. The stunner had the ability to deliver 50 Hz AC current.
Name:
Bio amplifier
Description of the instrument:
An amplifier from AD instruments was used to amplify the signal
Administrative information
Administrative information
Responsible department/unit:
Departement of Applied Animal Science and Welfare
Contributor(s):
Commissioning organisation:
- Institutionen för Biologi och miljövetenskap
Registration number at commissioning organization:
- Institutionen för Biologi och miljövetenskap
Ethical Review
Ethical Review
Reviewer:
- Gothenburg Ethical Review Board
Registration number:
5.8.18-12466/2018
Funding
Funding
Funding agency:
- Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
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ROR
Award number:
2021-01556
Funding agency:
- Swedish Board of Agriculture
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ROR
Funding agency:
- Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
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ROR
Award number:
2021-02303
Topic and keywords
Topic and keywords
Swedish Standard Classification of Research Subjects 2025:
Publications
Publications
Citation:
Sundell, Erika & Brijs, Jeroen & Gräns, Albin. (2024). The quest for a humane protocol for stunning and killing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquaculture. 593. 741317.
