title: Fish inner ear otoliths stop calcium incorporation after vestibular nerve transection.
abstract: Previous investigations revealed that the growth of fish inner ear otoliths (otolith size and calcium incorporation) depends on the amplitude and the direction of gravity, suggesting the existence of a (negative) feedback mechanism. In a search for the regulating unit, the vestibular nerve was unilaterally transected in neonatal swordtail fish (Xiphophorus helleri) which were subsequently incubated in the calcium-tracer alizarin-complexone. Calcium incorporation and thus otolith growth ceased on the operated head sides, indicating that the brain is significantly involved in regulating otolith growth.
authors.affiliation: Zoological Institute, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Anken
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Edelmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000880:Anthraquinones; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019771:Axotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003532:Cyprinodontiformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006112:Gravitation; D018466:Gravity Sensing / Q000502:physiology; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000998:Antiviral Agents; C070804:alizarin complexone; D002118:Calcium