Reptiles as Experimental Models: Uncovering Their Role in Drug Development and Health Research

Experimental animal models are indispensable as they help to enhance the understanding of unknown diseases and contribute to new discoveries through their physiology, which facilitates the learning process and scientific dissemination. Consequently, the techniques applied to animal models require the development of guidelines that ensure respect for these animals and the reliability of the results obtained, in order to promote the advancement of scientific progress. With this in mind, the aim of the present study was to conduct a review on the use of reptiles as experimental models. The works were reviewed and selected based on their use of animals (reptiles) as experimental models and for having results relevant to the development of science and its various applications. In this context, analyzes that adhered to these principles were also considered, revealing that certain species of snakes, lizards, and turtles show promise for research in pharmaceuticals, the production of medicines and vaccines, as well as in seeking solutions to other problems related to animal health, for example, the study of baseline corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in rattlesnakes. Thus, we can conclude that, although these animals are not as commonly used in experimental research, reptiles hold an important position among vertebrates for investigating the progression of serious diseases, as well as for the development of vaccines and medications.