Effect of human adenovirus 36 on the developing chicken embryo in the context of infectious obesity

Abstract The obesity epidemic is one of the most serious health problems of the 21st century. The research conducted in this area has allowed for the identification of several factors causing obesity, including infectious agents. Adenovirus 36 (HAdV-D36) is the only known infectious agent to promote obesity in both humans and animals. The mechanisms by which this virus induces obesity in adults are known. However, to date, the effects of this virus on the developing embryo have not been described. In our study, we were able to confirm weight gain in infected HAdV-D36 chicken embryos (ECEs). In contrast to the course of infection in adults, infection in embryos does not result in an increase in body fat, but manifests itself as accelerated organogenesis. Histopathological analyses conducted by our team suggest the existence of another, yet unknown mechanism of the virus's influence on ECE.