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Sturgeon gut development: a unique yolk utilization strategy among vertebrates
Mujahid Ali Shah1, Xuan Xie1, Marek Rodina1
1Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Vodnany, Czechia.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 14, 2024
Summary
Sturgeon gut development uniquely uses extraembryonic yolk cells (YCs) to form the primitive gut floor. This ancient fish group
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ichthyology
Background:
- Vertebrate yolk utilization occurs intracellularly or via the yolk sac.
- Sturgeons represent an ancient lineage of extant fish.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct gut development in sturgeons.
- To contrast sturgeon gut development with other vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Comparative embryological analysis.
- Observation of sturgeon embryonic development stages (neurulation, pharyngula).
Main Results:
- Sturgeon archenteron formation involves dorsal endodermal cells and a unique floor of extraembryonic yolk cells (YCs).
- The archenteric cavity expands to enclose YCs, which are digested post-hatching.
- This indicates a pre-hatching digestive function utilizing endogenous yolk.
Conclusions:
- Sturgeon gut development presents a significant deviation from typical vertebrate strategies.
- This unique strategy allows for early initiation of digestive function using endogenous nutrition.
- Findings contribute to understanding vertebrate evolutionary diversity in gut development.
