Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Effects of High Glucose on Embryonic Development

Publication Date

2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jinhee Park

Presentation Type

Metadata Only

Abstract

Elevated glucose levels during early development are known to cause various metabolic and morphological abnormalities. This study investigated the effects of different glucose concentrations on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic development. Embryos were exposed to increasing concentrations of glucose solutions (control, 1%, 2%, and 3%) from early developmental stages [from 24 hpf to 96 hpf]. This period of incubation revealed a slight decrease in heart rate at 3% glucose [p = 0.0302], while overall survival rates remained relatively stable after 24 hours of incubation. However, measurements of tail blood vessel length and head vessel branching showed significant reductions [p = 0.0379 and p = 0.0234 respectively] at 3% glucose. Furthermore, the intensity recorded for both tail vessels and head vessels was reduced considerably in 3% glucose solutions [p = 0.0032 and p = 0.0107 respectively]. The reduced length and intensity of both head and blood vessels in increasing glucose concentrations were both statistically significant [α = 0.05], suggesting early impairment in vascular development.

To further test the impact of higher glucose levels, embryos were also exposed to 3.5% and 3.7% glucose solutions. These higher concentrations caused severe morphological defects and complete loss of viability after 24 hr incubation.

Collectively, these results indicate that hyperglycemic conditions disrupt overall embryonic development in zebrafish, supporting their use as a vertebrate model for studying the developmental effects of diabetes and metabolic disorders.

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