title: Effects of gravity on early development.
abstract: The development of embryonic and larval stages of the South African Toad Xenopus laevis D, was investigated in hyper-g up to 5 g (centrifuge), in simulated 0 g (fast-rotating clinostat), in alternating low g, hyper-g (parabolic flights) and in microgravity (Spacelab missions D1, D-2). The selected developmental stages are assumed to be very sensitive to environmental stimuli. The results showed that the developmental reaction processes run normal also in environments different to 1 g and that aberrations in behavior and morphology normalize after return to 1 g. Development, differentiation, and morphology of the gravity perceiving parts of the vestibular system (macula-organs) had not been affected by exposure to different g-levels.
authors.affiliation: DLR (German Aerospace Research Establishment), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Section Biology, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neubert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schatz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bromeis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linke-Hommes
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002498:Centrifugation; D006112:Gravitation; D018471:Hypergravity; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D012399:Rotation; D013026:Space Flight; D013550:Swimming; D014893:Weightlessness; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*