Scientists Uncover How Fish Embryos Control Their Hatch Timing
Israeli scientists have discovered the biological mechanism behind the 'hatching decision' in zebrafish, revealing that a transient brain structure releases a hormone, TRH, to trigger hatching. This hormone, known for thyroid regulation in humans, plays a different role in fish, controlling the timing of hatching based on environmental and developmental cues. The discovery could have implications for improving fish survival rates in aquaculture and understanding similar mechanisms in other species.