Fish as biological models: Implications for gut microbiota research in biomedical and aquaculture sciences
摘要
Animal models are invaluable for studying biological processes and disease mechanisms. Fish, as vertebrates, share many conserved physiological, anatomical, and molecular features with humans, making them a valuable biological model. Their unique biological characteristics make them easy to manipulate and maintain in laboratory conditions. Also, fish diversity provides many options for choosing the most suitable model for a specific study. The increasing prevalence of microbiota-related diseases has heightened interest in gut microbiota and its impact on health, as gut microbiota is involved in several systems, such as digestive, endocrine, physiological, and immune systems; however, host-microorganism interaction mechanisms are far from being fully described. This review explores the potential of fish models in gut microbiota research, highlighting applications in biomedical and aquaculture sciences.