Embryos need cholesterol, scientists find.
Cholesterol plays a key role in the embryonic stage of organ development.
Cholesterol is furnished by the body and pregnant women do not need to add cholesterol to their diets for this purpose. The hedgehog protein activates genes that help form distinctive body organs. Cholesterol assists hedgehog proteins in attaching to specific cell membranes. Embryos need cholesterol, scientists find. Cholesterol modification of hedgehog signaling proteins in animal development.