Review on the Role of Microbiota in Successful Fish Breeding and Reproduction

Fish reproduction is intricately linked to microbiota-diverse microbial communities residing in the gut, skin, and reproductive tracts. Beyond their roles in digestion, immunity, and pathogen defense, microbiota actively regulate gonadal development, gametogenesis, hormone balance, and mate selection, directly influencing breeding success. The gut microbiota ensures optimal nutrient assimilation and energy availability, essential for gamete production and embryonic development. Meanwhile, the skin and reproductive tract microbiota contribute to reproductive success by forming protective barriers against infections, ensuring a stable and healthy reproductive environment. These microbial communities are shaped by environmental factors such as water quality, diet, and stressors, which in turn affect reproductive performance. In aquaculture, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation has emerged as a promising approach to optimize microbial communities, leading to improved reproductive outcomes, enhanced disease resistance, and higher larval survival rates. However, challenges persist in fully deciphering the complex interactions between fish, their microbiota, and environmental variables. This review consolidates current knowledge on the role of microbiota in fish reproduction, emphasizing the potential applications of microbiota manipulation in aquaculture to enhance breeding success and overall fish health.