A team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Matan Golan of the Volcani Institute, has discovered the mechanism by which fish embryos can decide when they want to be born.
This discovery sheds light on the survival strategies of vertebrates.
The team was able to identify a neural mechanism that allows embryos to initiate the hatching process. They release a hormone called neurotroph, which travels through the bloodstream to a specialized gland and triggers the release of enzymes that dissolve the egg wall, allowing the embryo to be released.
Since hatching is a critical time for any egg-laying species, because it may not be prepared to survive outside the egg or lose its chance of survival, the researchers concluded that the ability to choose the timing optimizes the embryo's chances of survival in a variable environment.
The finding, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Science, could have implications for better understanding neurobiology and adaptive strategies in broader vertebrates.