High Corticosterone Affects Somite Development During Early Avian Embryogenesis

Nursimulu DA, Heiß A, Song J, Jahns H, Pugo-Gunsam P, Schneider-Stock R (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Biomolecules MDPI

Book Volume: 16

Article Number: 1014

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.3390/biom16071014

Abstract

Maternal stress has been associated with altered embryonic and fetal development, yet the mechanisms by which stress hormones influence early developmental processes remain poorly understood. Early embryogenesis is particularly sensitive because it establishes the vertebrate body plan through tightly regulated events such as somitogenesis. Disruptions during this developmental window may therefore compromise normal morphogenesis and tissue organization. In the present study, we investigated whether elevated acute corticosterone exposure affects somite phenotype and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling during early embryogenesis using the avian chick embryo model. Fertilized specific pathogen-free (SPF) chick eggs were incubated until Hamburger–Hamilton stage 12 (approximately 48 h of incubation) and subsequently injected with 15 µg corticosterone into the yolk sac to mimic acute high-stress conditions for 4 h. Macroscopic examination revealed increased inter-somitic distances between the first five visible pairs of somites in corticosterone-treated embryos compared with controls, suggesting altered somite organization. In addition, histological assessment indicated that corticosterone-treated embryos displayed occasional cells with morphological features consistent with cellular degeneration or cell death. Molecular analysis demonstrated significant downregulation of SHH and GLI1 expression, indicating potential impairment of the SHH signalling axis during somitogenesis. The expression of TGFβ4 was also reduced, whereas HIF2α expression was elevated. These findings suggest a possible association between stress-induced hypoxic responses and altered developmental signalling, warranting further investigation. To the best of our knowledge, this is among the first in vivo studies to examine the relationship between elevated corticosterone exposure and SHH-associated somite development during early embryogenesis.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anita Marosán Department of Immune Modulation Jiazhao Song Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie Regine Schneider-Stock Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie

Involved external institutions

University of Mauritius / Université de Maurice MU Mauritius (MU) University College Dublin (UCD) IE Ireland (IE)

How to cite

APA:

Nursimulu, D.A., Heiß, A., Song, J., Jahns, H., Pugo-Gunsam, P., & Schneider-Stock, R. (2026). High Corticosterone Affects Somite Development During Early Avian Embryogenesis. Biomolecules, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16071014

MLA:

Nursimulu, Deeksha Aarti, et al. "High Corticosterone Affects Somite Development During Early Avian Embryogenesis." Biomolecules 16.7 (2026).

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