The development of vestibular connections in rat embryos in microgravity

L L Bruce; B Fritzsch

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The development of vestibular connections in rat embryos in microgravity

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The development of vestibular connections in rat embryos in microgravity

L L Bruce and B Fritzsch

Journal of gravitational physiology, Vol.4(2), pp.P59-62

07/1997

PMID: 11540700

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Abstract

Existing experimental embryological data suggests that the vestibular system initially develops in a very rigid and genetically controlled manner. Nevertheless, gravity appears to be a critical factor in the normal development of the vestibular system that monitors position with respect to gravity (saccule and utricle). In fact several studies have shown that prenatal exposure to microgravity causes temporary deficits in gravity-dependent righting behaviors, and prolonged exposure to hypergravity from conception to weaning causes permanent deficits in gravity-dependent righting behaviors. Data on hypergravity and microgravity exposure suggest some changes in the otolith formation during development, in particular the size although these changes may actually vary with the species involved. In adults exposed to microgravity there is a change in the synaptic density in the optic sensory epithelia suggesting that some adaptation may occur there. However, effects have also been reported in the brainstem. Several studies have shown synaptic changes in the lateral vestibular nucleus and in the nodulus of the cerebellum after neonatal exposure to hypergravity. We report here that synaptogenesis in the medial vestibular nucleus is retarded in developing rat embryos that were exposed to microgravity from gestation days 9 to 19.

Pregnancy

Brain - embryology

Axons - physiology

Brain - physiology

Saccule and Utricle - embryology

Semicircular Canals - embryology

Saccule and Utricle - innervation

Sensory Receptor Cells - physiology

Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiology

Female

Vestibule, Labyrinth - embryology

Synapses - physiology

Rats

Weightlessness

Space Flight

Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Saccule and Utricle - physiology

Embryo, Mammalian - physiology

Vestibule, Labyrinth - anatomy & histology

Animals

Embryo, Mammalian - embryology

Semicircular Canals - physiology

Vestibule, Labyrinth - innervation

Gravity Sensing - physiology

Embryo, Mammalian - innervation

Semicircular Canals - innervation

Details

Title: Subtitle: The development of vestibular connections in rat embryos in microgravity
Creators: L L Bruce - Creighton University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
B Fritzsch
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of gravitational physiology, Vol.4(2), pp.P59-62
PMID: 11540700
NLM abbreviation: J Gravit Physiol
ISSN: 1077-9248
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 07/1997
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984071685102771

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