Microbial manipulations to improve fish health and production – a Mediterranean perspective
Author(s)
Date Issued
2011
Type
Article
Abstract
The interactions between the endogenous gut microbiota and the fish host are integral in mediating the
development, maintenance and effective functionality of the intestinal mucosa and gut associated
lymphoid tissues (GALTs). These microbial populations also provide a level of protection against pathogenic
visitors to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and aid host digestive function via the production of
exogenous digestive enzymes and vitamins. Manipulation of these endogenous populations may provide
an alternative method to antibiotics to control disease and promote health management. Applications of
probiotics for Mediterranean teleosts can stimulate immune responses, enhance growth performance,
feed utilisation, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant enzyme activities, gene expression, disease
resistance, larval survival, gut morphology, modulate GI microbiota and mediate stress responses.
Although considerably less information is available regarding prebiotic applications for Mediterranean
teleosts, prebiotics also offer benefits with regards to improving immune status and fish production.
Despite the promising potential benefits demonstrated in current literature, obtaining consistent and
reliable results is often difficult due to our incomplete understanding of indigenous fish GI microbiota
and their subsequent host interactions which mediate and drive both localised and systemic host
immunological responses. Additionally, the probiotic and prebiotic (biotics) mechanisms which mediate
host benefits at the mucosal interface are poorly understood. Future studies focused on these interactions.
utilising gnotobiotic techniques should provide a better understanding of how to extract the full
potential of biotic applications to promote immune function of Mediterranean teleosts.
2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Additional information
L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com/
Citation
Dimitroglou, A. et al. 2011. Microbial manipulations to improve fish health and production - A Mediterranean perspective. "Fish and Shellfish Immunology" 30(1): 1-16
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