Investigating causality with fecal microbiota transplantation in rodents: applications, recommendations and pitfalls

Abstract

In recent years, studies investigating the role of the gut microbiota in health and diseases have increased enormously - making it essential to deepen and question the research methodology employed. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in rodent studies (either from human or animal donors) allows us to better understand the causal role of the intestinal microbiota across multiple fields. However, this technique lacks standardization and requires careful experimental design in order to obtain optimal results. By comparing several studies in which rodents are the final recipients of FMT, we summarize the common practices employed. In this review, we document the limitations of this method and highlight different parameters to be considered while designing FMT Studies. Standardizing this method is challenging, as it differs according to the research topic, but avoiding common pitfalls is feasible. Several methodological questions remain unanswered to this day and we offer a discussion on issues to be explored in future studies.

Keywords: Fecal microbiota transplantation; antibiotics; experimental design; germ-free; gnotobiotic; human; methods; microbiota depletion; rodent.

Figure 1.

Parameters influencing the experimental design of fecal microbiota transplant studies

Figure 2.

Most commonly used animal models as recipients for fecal microbiota transplants

Figure 3.

Fecal microbiota transfer: from donor sample collection to the tractability of the microbial transplant

Figure 4.

Key questions when designing an FMT experiment