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Morphometry of fish inner ear otoliths after development at 3g hypergravity

R H Anken1, T Kappel, H Rahmann

  • 1Zoological Institute, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. anken@uni-hohenheim.de

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|September 3, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Larval cichlid fish exposed to hypergravity (3g) developed smaller inner ear otoliths. Otolith asymmetry changed, suggesting gravity guides development and may link to space sickness.

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Area of Science:

  • Gravitational biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Otolith research

Background:

  • Inner ear otoliths are crucial for balance and spatial orientation.
  • Gravity is a key environmental factor influencing development.
  • Previous research suggests links between otolith asymmetry and space sickness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of sustained hypergravity on the size and asymmetry of inner ear otoliths in larval cichlid fish.
  • To determine if gravity influences otolith development and contributes to kinetotic behavior upon return to normal gravity.

Main Methods:

  • Larval cichlid fish were raised under controlled hypergravity (3g) conditions using a centrifuge throughout their ontogeny.
  • Size and bilateral asymmetry of utricular (lapilli) and saccular (sagittae) otoliths were measured and compared to 1g controls.

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  • Behavioral observations, including kinetosis upon return to 1g, were recorded.

    • Main Results:

    • Hypergravity exposure resulted in significantly smaller utricular and saccular otoliths compared to controls.
    • Sagittal otolith asymmetry increased, while lapillar otolith asymmetry decreased under hypergravity.
    • Kinetotic fish exhibited significantly higher lapillar asymmetry than non-kinetotic hypergravity-exposed fish.

    Conclusions:

    • Environmental gravity vector significantly guides the growth and development of otolith size and bilateral asymmetry.
    • Lapillar otolith asymmetry may be a contributing factor to kinetotic behavior, potentially mirroring mechanisms involved in human space sickness.