This application will examine gravity's role in equilibrium development by raising fish in an earth-bound apparatus that simulates a microgravity environment. This NASA-developed apparatus, the Rotating Wall Perfused Vessel (RWPV), creates a microgravity-like environment by using rotational vectors to balance out the pull of gravity. The investigator has adapted this device to culture zebrafish eggs and has successfully hatched and raised zebrafish in the vessel. Preliminary data show clear behavioral and morphological effects in most subjects raised in this environment, including deficits in normal equilibrium orientation, compensatory eye movements, and otolith development. Four sets of experiments are proposed for comparison of microgravity-raised fish and normal fish; subjects will be examined for differences in orientation behavior, eye movement, receptor morphology and primary afferent projections. Two fish species will be examined: zebrafish, which are a well-accepted model for CNS development, and medaka, which have already been successfully hatched and reared during Space Shuttle flights. Fo the later receptor morphology and projection studies, Space Shuttle-reared zebrafish are expected to be available for comparison with subjects raised in the earth-based microgravity simulator.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03DC003531-01
Application #
2429029
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDC1-SRB-S (01))
Project Start
1997-09-01
Project End
2000-08-31
Budget Start
1997-09-01
Budget End
1998-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Texas
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Osteopathy
DUNS #
110091808
City
Fort Worth
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
76107
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Moorman, Stephen J; Cordova, Rodolfo; Davies, Sarah A (2002) A critical period for functional vestibular development in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 223:285-91
Riley, B B; Moorman, S J (2000) Development of utricular otoliths, but not saccular otoliths, is necessary for vestibular function and survival in zebrafish. J Neurobiol 43:329-37
Moorman, S J; Burress, C; Cordova, R et al. (1999) Stimulus dependence of the development of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) vestibular system. J Neurobiol 38:247-58