Use of fish model in modern biological experimentation: Synthesis and review

Abstract

Globally animal models play very important role in the progress of life science in a wide range of biological experimentations. Suitability of different animal model relies on its similarity in genetic makeup, resemble physiological response on diseases of multiple etiology and different drugs, easy maintenance of model animal. Among the fishes, zebrafish and some other species like killifish and cave fish has been found to have great potential and being experimented as an alternative model animal for experimentation of some specific human diseases. Metadata analysis with relevant keywords revealed >8000 research publications on fish model in last 12 years. In India, zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822), is widely distributed. However, very less attention has so far been paid to understand the importance of the species in biological experimentation except few scattered reports. Besides zebrafish, use of African killifish and cave fish has also been outlined. The present paper synthesized the current knowledge of research and discussed the status and potentials of fish as a model in modern biological experimentation in various medical disorders and recommends their utilization for drug discovery and critical human disease modelling.