Hebrew University researchers have uncovered a remarkable discovery: fish embryos are capable of determining the timing of their own birth.
Dr. Matan Golan of the university’s Volcani Institute led the study, working alongside researchers Yuni Nahmias, Itay Oz, Genevieve Fernandes, Matan Golan, and Deodatta Gajbhiye. The team found that fish embryos actively select the best moment to hatch, triggering the process through a signal originating in their brain.
This research uncovers the long-sought-after neurological mechanism that governs the timing of hatching in fish.
The process is driven by the neurohormone Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH), which is carried through the bloodstream to a specialized gland. Once there, it stimulates the release of enzymes that break down the egg’s outer layer, enabling the embryo to emerge.
The scientists explained that embryos unable to produce TRH cannot release these enzymes, leading to their demise within the egg.
Timing is crucial for survival—hatching too early could leave the embryo unprepared for life outside the egg, while delaying too long could result in missed opportunities for survival.
As fish make up the largest group of vertebrates, the researchers believe their findings shed light on broader aspects of neurobiology, survival mechanisms, and how species adapt to environmental conditions.
Future studies aim to investigate the role of TRH and other neuroendocrine factors in the hatching process across different species.
The Israeli researchers published their groundbreaking findings in the peer-reviewed journal Science.
{Matzav.com}