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Seven out of ten Swedes save voluntarily in funds, and if premium pensions and pension savings are taken into account, almost all adults save. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in sustainable funds, with more than a third choosing a sustainable fund to invest in. There is a disagreement in the existing research as to whether sustainable funds are a better option than conventional ones. The study examined whether sustainable funds underperformed conventional funds on the variables of return, standard deviation and Sharpe ratio. The study's measurement period covered 21 April 2019 to 21 April 2024, for Swedish-registered funds in the industrial sector. The study conducted a quantitative approach using t-tests and regression analyses to examine performance across categories. The study obtained secondary data from Morningstar and used the Morningstar Sustainability Rating to categorise the funds. Funds with a rating of 1-3 were defined as conventional and sustainable as those with a rating of 4-5. From the data collected in the study, the authors concluded that the t-test between conventional and sustainable funds was significant based on the standard deviation variable, while the other variables were not significant. Like the t-test, the regression analysis between sustainability ratings and standard deviation was significant and the other regressions were not significant. The study does not find that sustainable funds are characterised by lower returns, higher risk or lower risk-adjusted returns compared to conventional funds., Sju av tio svenskar sparar frivilligt i fonder och tar man hänsyn till premiepensionen och pensionssparande så sparar nästan alla vuxna. Under de senare åren har det växt fram ett intresse för hållbara fonder, där mer än en tredjedel har valt en hållbar fond att investera i. Det finns en oenighet i den befintliga forskningen huruvida hållbara fonder är ett bättre alternativ än konventionella. Studien undersökte om hållbara fonder presterade sämre än konventionella fonder utifrån variablerna avkastning, standardavvikelse och Sharpekvot. Studiens mätperiod avsåg 2019-04-21 till 2024-04-21, för svenskregistrerade fonder inom industrisektorn. Studien genomförde en kvantitativ ansats med hjälp av t-tester och regressionsanalyser för att undersöka prestationen mellan kategorierna. Studien inhämtade sekundärdata från Morningstar och har använt Morningstar Sustainability Rating för att kategorisera fonderna. Fonder som innehar 1-3 i betyg definierades som konventionella och hållbara som innehar 4-5 i betyg. Av studiens inhämtade data, konstaterade författarna att t-testet mellan konventionella och hållbara fonder var signifikant utifrån variabeln standardavvikelse medan de övriga variablerna inte var signifikanta. Likt t-testet var regressionsanalysen mellan hållbarhetsbetyg och standardavvikelse signifikant och de övriga regressionerna var ej signifikanta. Studien kan inte konstatera att hållbara fonder kännetecknas av en lägre avkastning, en högre risk eller en lägre riskjusterad avkastning gentemot konventionella fonder.

Individually consistent behavioral and physiological responses to stressful situations (often referred to as coping styles) has been reported in many animal species. Differences in hypothalamic-pituitary axis reactivity characterize individuals, and it has been proposed that the glucocorticoid (gr) and mineralocorticoid (mr) receptors are fundamental in regulating coping styles. We sorted individuals into reactive and proactive coping styles by collapsing behavioral outputs from net restraint and confinement stress tests in a principal component analysis. We then analyzed plasma cortisol levels, serotonin neurochemistry and the relative mRNA expression of gr1 and mr in stressed individuals per coping style. Proactive fish were characterized as having a lower serotonergic activity and being more active under stress. In addition, proactive fish had higher hypothalamic gr1 and mr abundance and a higher mr/gr1 ratio, compared to reactive fish. We found no significant differences in cortisol or telencephalic mRNA, gr1 and mr expression, or their ratio. Brain MR and GR have been proven to have an important role in the appraisal, coping and adaptation to stressful stimuli, so that a higher expression of these receptors in proactive fish suggests increased tolerance and performance under stress, compared to reactive individuals. We present evidence of a conserved neuroendocrine mechanism associated with coping styles in a fish species which is ecologically very diverse and considered to be the most cold-adapted fish in freshwater. We propose that this may be a first step into exploiting this model in order to better understand climate-change related effects in sub populations and ecophenotypes.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (FLU, Prozac (R)) is commonly prescribed for depression in pregnant women. This results in SSRI exposure of the developing fetus. However, there are knowledge gaps regarding the impact of SSRI exposure during development. Given the role of serotonin in brain development and its cross-talk with sex hormone function, we investigated effects of developmental exposure to pharmacologically relevant concentrations of FLU (3 and 30 nM (measured)) on brain neurotransmitter levels, gonadal differentiation, aromatase activity in brain and gonads, and the thyroid system, using the Xenopus tropicalis model. Tadpoles were chronically exposed (8 weeks) until metamorphosis. At metamorphosis brains were cryosectioned and levels of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and their metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid were measured in discrete regions (telencephalon, hypothalamus and the reticular formation) of the cryosections using high-performance liquid chromatography. Exposure to 30 nM FLU increased the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in hypothalamus compared with controls. FLU exposure did not affect survival, time to metamorphosis, thyroid histology, gonadal sex differentiation, or aromatase activity implying that the effect on the serotonergic neurotransmitter system in the hypothalamus region was specific. The FLU concentration that impacted the serotonin system is lower than the concentration measured in umbilical cord serum, suggesting that the serotonin system of the developing brain is highly sensitive to in utero exposure to FLU. To our knowledge this is the first study showing effects of developmental FLU exposure on brain neurochemistry. Given that SSRIs are present in the aquatic environment the current results warrant further investigation into the neurobehavioral effects of SSRIs in aquatic wildlife.

Social defeat is a common model for studies on depression. However, such models are most often used to study aggression in males and sex differences in depression may therefore be overseen. This study investigated the potential of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model for male and female aggression. In addition, effects on the brain serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems after agonistic interaction are well studied in many species, but not in zebrafish. We wanted to explore whether the zebrafish follows the same patterns as many other species. Therefore, the effects of agonistic interaction on brain monoaminergic activity were studied in adult male and female wild-type zebrafish. The fish interacted in pairs with one of the same sex for five days during which agonistic behaviour was quantified daily. Clear dominant/subordinate relationships developed in all pairs, both in males and females. The frequency of aggressive acts increased over time but did not differ between male and female pairs. Further, we found that dyadic agonistic interaction resulted in elevated brain serotonergic activity in subordinate zebrafish, as indicated by elevated hindbrain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid to serotonin ratios (5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) ratios). We also observed a sex difference in forebrain dopamine levels and forebrain 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios, with females displaying higher concentrations of dopamine but lower 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios than males. These results suggest that zebrafish is a suitable model for studies on female aggression and sex differences in brain monoaminergic neurotransmission.

In the present study, we exposed the olfactory epithelia of crucian carp, Carassius carassius, and brown trout, Salmo trutta, to dextran coupled with Alexa dyes together with odorants. Dye uptake was severely reduced after pre-exposure to nocodazole, an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization that impairs endocytosis, supporting the hypothesis that odour-activated olfactory receptor molecules undergo endocytosis. Application of the bile acid taurolithocholate, a potent and specific odorant for fish, resulted in the labelling of a sparse (less than 3%) cell population with the typical morphology of ciliated sensory neurons (CSNs) - long dendrites and cell somata deep in the sensory epithelium. The dye was distributed throughout the sensory neuron, also revealing axons and target glomeruli. Stained axons redistribute at the entrance of the olfactory bulb and terminate in two small target areas, a dorsal and a medial one. These results are consistent with the notion that taurolithocholate is detected specifically by a few ciliated sensory neurons. Application of the olfactory epithelium of brown trout to bile acid stained cells with the appearance of CSNs. Application of an alarm agonist, hypxanthine-3-N-oxide, to crucian carp olfactory organ caused staining of another set of sensory neurons. Furthermore, our results show that odour-induced uptake of a dye can serve to identify the subtype of olfactory sensory neurons responding to a particular odorant, and to pinpoint the target regions of these neurons in the olfactory bulb as a first step to elucidating the neuronal network responding to a particular odour.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is central in the stress response but also modulates several behaviors including anxiety-related behaviors and aggression. In this study, juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were tested for competitive ability, determined during dyadic fights for dominance, after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of CRF, urotensin I (UI), the non-specific CRF antagonist alpha-helical RF9-41 (ahCRF) or the CRF receptor subtype 1-specific antagonist antalarmin, when paired with a mass-matched con-specific injected with saline. In addition, isolated fish received the same substances. Plasma cortisol and brain monoamines were monitored in all fish. Most fish receiving CRF showed a conspicuous behavior consisting of flaring the opercula, opening the mouth and violent shaking of the head from side to side. When this occurred, the fish immediately forfeited the fight. Similar behavior was observed in most fish receiving UI but no effect on outcome of dyadic fights was noted. This behavior seems similar to non-ambulatory motor activity seen in rats and could be anxiety related. Furthermore, fish receiving CRF at a dose of 1000. ng became subordinate, whereas all other treatments had no effects on the outcome of dyadic fights. In addition, isolated fish receiving ahCRF had lower brain stem concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, serotonin, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and dopamine. In conclusion, CRF seems to attenuate competitive ability, and both CRF and UI seem to induce anxiety-like behavior.

The mammalian neuropeptide arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and its non-mammalian homologue arginine-vasotocin (AVT) are involved in social behavior including aggression in vertebrates. Juvenile rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) are highly territorial and we tested the effect of two different doses each of AVT and Manning compound, an AVP V1A receptor antagonist, on aggressive behavior and the outcome of staged fights for social dominance in size matched pairs. Each pair consisted of one fish receiving AVT or Manning compound through an intracerebroventricular (icv) injection and one fish receiving a similar icv injection of saline. In addition, plasma cortisol and brain serotonergic activity were monitored. Fish receiving AVT at a dose of 200 ng became subordinate whereas AVT at a dose of 20 ng had no effect on the outcome of fights for social dominance. Further, Manning compound had no effect on the outcome of fights for dominance but at a dose of 200 ng it had an effect on fight duration. Fish receiving 200 ng Manning compound and losing dyadic fights appeared to take longer to become subordinate. Neither AVT nor Manning compound had any effects on plasma cortisol levels or brainstem serotonergic activity. The apparent inhibiting effect of AVT on aggression could be centrally mediated.

Variable neuroendocrine responses to ecologically-relevant challenges in sticklebacks. PHYSIOL BEHAV 00(0) 000-000, 2006. Here, we compare the behavioral, endocrine and neuroendocrine responses of individual sticklebacks exposed to either an unfamiliar conspecific or to a predator. We found that the two stressors elicited a similar hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal response as assessed by whole-body concentrations of cortisol, but produced quite different patterns of change in brain monoamine and monoamine metabolite content as assessed by concentrations of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and the monoamine metabolites 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). For example, relative to baseline levels, NE levels were elevated in individuals exposed to a predator but were lower in individuals confronted by a challenging conspecific. Levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in specific regions of the brain showed extremely close links with behavioral characteristics. Frequency of attacking a conspecific and inspecting a predator were both positively correlated with concentrations of NE. However, whereas serotonin was negatively correlated with frequency of attacking a conspecific, it was positively associated with predator inspection. The data indicate that the qualitative and quantitative nature of the neuroendocrine stress response of sticklebacks varies according to the nature of the stressor, and that interindividual variation in behavioural responses to challenge are reflected by neuroendocrine differences.