Development of the mouse vestibular system in the absence of gravity perception.
The tilted mutant mouse, which lacks otoconia in the inner ear, was used to study development of the mouse vestibular system in the absence of gravity perception. Otoconia are dense particles composed of proteins and calcium carbonate crystals suspended in the gelatinous macular membrane. They enhance, and are largely responsible for, sensitivity to gravity. Morphometric analysis of the vestibular ganglion showed that the mutant developed more slowly than the normal controls, both in rate of development and cell number, particularly during the first week of post-natal development. The mutant ganglia also exhibited a reduction of cells during the first 6 days of post-natal development.
Smith
Michael
M
Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
Yuan Wang
Xiang
X
Wolgemuth
Debra J
DJ
Murashov
Alexander K
AK
D000818:Animals; D005838:Genotype; D006112:Gravitation; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*