Light microscopic analysis of the gravireceptor in Xenopus larvae developed in hypogravity.
The paper describes an investigation of the influence of gravity on the early differentiation of gravity receptors in Xenopus embryos and larvae.  There is evidence that the expression of crystals in the saccus endolymphaticus was statistically greater when the embryos developed in near weightlessness (hypogravity) than on earth.  The function of these crystals is unknown but they may contribute to the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.
Briegleb
W
W
DFVLR, Institute for Aerospace Medicine, Köln, FRG.
Neubert
J
J
Schatz
A
A
Kruse
B
B
D000818:Animals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D003460:Crystallization; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D018466:Gravity Sensing / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D013026:Space Flight; D014893:Weightlessness; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology
D002119:Calcium Carbonate