Observation of the morphology and calcium content of vestibular otoconia in rats after simulated weightlessness

Conclusions Reduction in bone formation may have been the main reason for the lower calcium content of the otoconia after simulated weightlessness in rats. The head-ward distribution of blood volume may explain the morphological changes observed in the middle and inner ears. Objective To observe mor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta oto-laryngologica 2005-10, Vol.125 (10), p.1039-1042
Main Authors: Zhang, Jiangping, Peng, Zhenhui, Yang, Miaoli, Zhang, Xianghong, Wei, Junrong, Xu, Min, Zheng, Qing Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Calcium - analysis
Electron Probe Microanalysis
Ent, stomatology, face, injuries. Foreign bodies. Diseases due to physical agents: otorhinolaryngology
Hindlimb Suspension
Medical sciences
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Otolith
Otolithic Membrane - chemistry
Otolithic Membrane - pathology
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
saccular
Saccule and Utricle - chemistry
Saccule and Utricle - pathology
simulated weightlessness
space motion sickness
Stapes - chemistry
Stapes - pathology
tail suspension
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
utricle
X-ray microanalysis
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Summary:Conclusions Reduction in bone formation may have been the main reason for the lower calcium content of the otoconia after simulated weightlessness in rats. The head-ward distribution of blood volume may explain the morphological changes observed in the middle and inner ears. Objective To observe morphological changes in the vestibular organs and measure the calcium content of otoconia in rats after simulated weightlessness. Material and methods We used a tail suspension model of simulated weightlessness and then investigated changes in the vestibular organs using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Results In comparison to untreated rats, the vestibular otoconia of the rats subjected to simulated weightlessness were small, irregularly shaped or fissured, and were arranged loosely and out of order. In addition, the calcium content of the otoconia was markedly decreased.
ISSN:0001-6489
1651-2251
DOI:10.1080/00016480510037915