[Veterinary midwife brought to justice].
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
H A de Jong
Publications and source records attributed to H A de Jong.
The horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex of hypergravity rat at different gravity levels.
The horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) of two groups of rats was measured. One group was bred and kept under hypergravity (HG; 2.5 g) conditions, the other group lived under normal gravity (NG; 1 g). Eye position was recorded in response to horizontal rotatory stimuli. Measurements were made under NG (1 g), and during parabolic flight (0.0 and 1.8 g). For both groups, the response to a rotatory stimulus during parabolic flight is similar to the response that was observed under 1 g conditions. In general, however, the VOR of HG rats is reduced by 20-50% relative to the response of NG rats and the phase is shifted by -40 degrees. We conjecture that this amplitude reduction and phase shift are the consequence of living in a rotating system.
Animals↗
The vestibulo-ocular reflex of hypergravity rats.
The vertebrate vestibular system detects linear (otolith organs) and angular (semicircular canals) acceleration. The function of the otolith system is twofold, 1: perception of linear acceleration of the head, and 2: assessment of the spatial orientation of the head relative to the vector of gravity. Because of the latter function, a change of gravity will affect the vestibular input which, in turn, may have a wide range of serious physiological effects, for instance on ocular reflexes. The function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is to stabilize the visual image on the retina. Measurement of this VOR provides a method to investigate the (processing within the) vestibular system. Discrimination between gravity and linear acceleration, caused by movement of the head, is not possible. Therefore, information from the otolith system must be constantly compared with additional information from other sensory systems in order to solve the inherent ambiguity between tilt and translation. In this processing, cues from the semicircular canals also play a role. During parabolic flight, experiments can be performed at altered gravity levels for brief periods of time. On earth, the only effective possibility to manipulate gravity for longer periods of time is a centrifuge. Together with experiments in weightlessness during orbital flight, these methods form useful tools to investigate the influence of gravity on physiology. In our laboratory, rats have been kept inside a centrifuge at 2.5 g during their entire life-span (i.e. including gestation).
Acceleration↗
Vestibular-induced behaviour of rats born and raised in hypergravity.
One group of rats were bred and kept under hypergravity (HG) conditions (2.5 g) in a centrifuge. Another group were bred and kept under normal gravity conditions (1 g). Rats from both groups were dropped from a supine position into a water basin under infrared illumination leaving only gravity (1 g for both groups) for orientation. The airrighting reflex and reappearance at the water surface were examined. The success rate for airrighting of HG rats is 47% versus 45% for controls, and is performed about equally fast by both groups. The success rate of HG and control hamsters is </=25% and >/=80%, respectively [22]. This interspecific difference does not appear to support the conjecture that altered behaviour is caused by a structural change of vestibular end organs during ontogenetic development under HG. The success rate for surfacing of control rats is 100%. Surfacing of young HG rats is less successful (36% at age 6 weeks) and requires more time. On average, surfacing of adult rats of both groups is about the same. Apparently, the repeated stay of centrifuge-bred rats at 1 g for experiments and daily care suffices to recalibrate and improve their orientation, which is essential for surfacing.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Behaviour of adult hamsters subjected to hypergravity.
We studied vestibular function in 20 adult hamsters (3 months old) subjected to either prolonged hypergravity (n = 10) or normal gravity (n = 10) for 2 months. Locomotion and swimming of the hypergravity hamsters under light conditions were normal. Equilibrium maintenance was severely disturbed; only 6 of 10 hypergravity hamsters managed to walk on the small tube after 2 months, whereas all 10 controls were able to walk on the tube. The air-righting reflex was severely disturbed; the hypergravity hamsters made 30% correct air-righting responses, while the control hamsters made 88% correct responses. Finally, 5 of 8 hypergravity hamsters had to be saved from drowning when swimming in total darkness. Histological examination of the utricular otoconial layers afterwards, using energy dispersive X-ray element (EDAX) analysis and scanning electron microscopy, did not reveal any differences in calcium content, shape and size distribution of the otoconia between hypergravity hamsters and controls. We suggest that adult hamsters adapt to hypergravity, leading to problems in normal functioning when tested in 1 G, especially in tasks in which sensory input of the vestibular system is important for spatial orientation. These disturbances were more severe in adult hamsters than in young ones, tested in previous experiments. Therefore, we assume that age is a factor for adaptation to altered gravity conditions.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Behavioural changes in hamsters with otoconial malformations.
For a period of 10 months, the perceptive-motor skills of golden hamsters were tested as part of an experiment to investigate vestibular controlled behaviour. We found that four out of 40 hamsters had more difficulties with swimming and equilibrium maintenance than the rest of the group. These disturbances either were apparent during the first months of testing or developed at a later period. In three hamsters the disturbances persisted over time while in one hamster performance in perceptive-motor skills increased. Histological examination with scanning electron microscopy revealed otoconial abnormalities in the saccule and/or the utricle. The otoconia were either malformed or replaced by spherulites. We conclude that the observed behavioural disturbances were caused by a defective peripheral vestibular organ. The results show similarities with data from pathology in other animals as well as in the human inner ear.
Animals↗
Altered behaviour in hamsters conceived and born in hypergravity.
We studied vestibular function in 37 hamsters (1 month old) conceived and born in either hypergravity (n = 21) or normal gravity (n = 16). Four groups were made: (1) HL group: 20 weeks in 2.5 G and 14 weeks in 1 G; (2) HS group: 4 weeks in 2.5 G and 30 weeks in 1 G; (3) CON group: 34 weeks in 1 G; and (4) ROT group: 4 weeks in 1 G, 16 weeks in rotation in 1 G, at the centre of the centrifuge and 14 weeks 1 G. When the hamsters were 4 weeks old, their locomotor activity, swimming ability, and air-righting was assessed. We found that HL and HS hamsters had no disturbances during locomotion in 1 G but their swimming ability was disturbed (swimming underwater, circling, and decreased speed of swimming). The HL hamsters showed less activity during 2.5 G and showed fewer correct air-rightings than the other groups. Differences between groups in swimming ability and the number of correct air-righting responses remained even after 3 months of normal gravity. Based on these findings, we suggest that the persistent behavioural disturbances are caused by the embryonal development of the hamsters in a hypergravity environment. Furthermore, hypergravity and rotation each have a different effect on behaviour.
Age Factors↗
Altered behaviour of hamsters by prolonged hypergravity: adaptation to 2.5 G and re-adaptation to 1 G.
We studied the functional adaptation process in 40 hamsters subjected to either prolonged hypergravity to normal gravity. Subadult golden hamsters (n = 20) exposed to a hypergravity condition of 2.5 G for 6 months were tested to investigate the effect of hyper gravity on the perceptive motor skills and compared with control hamsters (n = 20). The motor coordination of the hypergravity hamsters hardly changed; locomotion was normal and swimming was possible. Equilibrium maintenance was disturbed during the first 3 months as was shown by the higher crossing time (p < 0.001) and higher fall frequency (p < 0.001) for the hypergravity group. Significant differences were also found in orientation during swimming (p = 0.007) and turning behaviour in the rotation task (p < 0.001) and in the no-rotation task (p = 0.029). After 6 months, 10 hamsters of both groups were tested for another 4 months, also the hypergravity hamsters were living at 1 G. Differences in orientation in the two groups did not change during swimming and turning behaviour during the rotation task (p = 0.026). Based on our findings, we conclude that the hamsters functionally adapted to hypergravity, which led to an altered performance of several tasks. The condition continued after 4 months of normal gravity.
Animals↗
Swimming behavior of fish during short periods of weightlessness.
BACKGROUND: Birds and fish show tumbling and spinning movements when subjected to short periods of weightlessness during parabolic flight. The reason for this behavior is not clear. HYPOTHESIS: The semicircular canal system is a rotation-detecting device; however, it seems that linear accelerations have an influence, too. Microgravity induces rotatory sensations which leads to a compensatory behavior (e.g., rotatory movements). METHODS: The swimming behavior of goldfish was studied with the fish in four different conditions: normal fish (group I); fish with one eye recently removed (group II); fish with both eyes recently removed (group III); and fish with both eyes removed 10 months previously (group IV). Further, a group of naturally blind (e.g., not surgically treated) cavefish (group V) were involved in the study also. All procedures conformed to the guiding principles as required in the Dutch Law on Care and Use of Animals. RESULTS: Three main different patterns of abnormal swimming behavior could be observed: tumbling (pitch), corkscrew movements (pitch and roll), and spinning movements (roll). NF did not shown any special swimming pattern. One-eyed fish (group II): mostly corkscrew movements (62%). Blind fish (group III): a mixture of the three movements (17, 22 and 25%). Blind fish (group IV): mostly spinning movements (20%). Cavefish (group V): tumbling (21%), corkscrew movements (12%) and spinning movements (58%). CONCLUSION: Vision is the dominant cue, explaining the behavior of normal goldfish. When vision is absent, the fish relies on vestibular information with respect to orientation. The swimming behavior is presumably caused by an attempt to compensate rotatory illusions. As all movements were shown in the planes of the vertical canals, we conclude that these canals play a dominant role when fish are deprived from proper otolith information.
Animals↗
Effects of sustained acceleration on the morphological properties of otoconia in hamsters.
We investigated the effect of prolonged hypergravity on the otoconial layer of the maculae utriculi and the maculae sacculi in hamsters. The animals were placed in a centrifuge under conditions of 2.5 G, and remained there for 6 months. We then determined the calcium contents of the otoconia with energy dispersive X-ray element analysis, and recorded the size, shape and distribution of the otoconia. Scanning electron microscopy was used to make photos to determine the effects of hypergravity on the shape and size of the otoconia, and on the distribution of smaller and larger otoconia. No differences were found in the calcium content, shape, size or distribution of otoconia between centrifuged hamsters and control animals. Our findings indicate that structural adaptation to hypergravity does not take place at the otoconial level, at least not in animals subjected to hypergravity after the vestibular system was fully matured.
Animals↗
The caloric vestibular nystagmus during short lasting microgravity.
In human subjects the caloric vestibular test was conducted during parabolic flight. The ear irrigation was performed from 35 secs. till 5 secs. before the onset of microgravity. Nystagmography covered a 10-minutes period, including three parabolic manoeuvres of the aircraft. a. The slow phase velocity (SPV) of the caloric nystagmus increased proportionally with the value of the g-force. Introduction of microgravity induced an exponential decrease of the SPV decay. b. The nystagmus disappeared completely in microgravity, but SPV decay showed a specific time constant. c. The averaged time constant values of the caloric nystagmus SPV decay after sudden onset of microgravity and the averaged time constant of the SPV decay following a sudden stop after sustained rotation during 0-g appeared to be on the same level (10.2 s. and 10.6 s.). d. These two averaged time constant values obtained during short lasting microgravity proved to be on a lower level than those time constants (15.5 secs.; 15.9 secs.) found in ground-based conditions. e. Because of the similarities in the characteristics of both SPV decay's and their accompanying time constants, a common working mechanism of cupular stimulation is likely. Most probably a fluid movement (or pressure) provokes a cupula deflexion followed by a cupula reflexion, either caused by a sudden stop after a sustained rotation or by a sudden onset of microgravity after g-load calorization. The present results support the Barany convection theory with regard the endolymph stimulatory properties following the caloric test.
Adult↗
Electronystagmographic findings following cervical whiplash injuries.
A group of 262 patients suffering from the after-effects of an acceleration trauma of the neck were subjected to an extensive vestibular examination. 85% of the patients complained of some type of vertigo. The visual suppression test conducted during rotation showed pathology in 37% of the cases. Visual pursuit movements were affected in 43% of the cases. In a group of 41 patients the results obtained respectively 1 and 2 years after the accident were compared. There was no significant improvement of the findings. No oculomotor system pathology was found in 99 cases (38%), and no electronystagmographic pathology at all in 55 cases (21%). The study emphasized the fact that nystagmographic examinations are able to detect central vestibular dysfunction and is therefore a suitable method to prove pathology.
Adolescent↗
Vertical nystagmus provoked by locally applied calorization at the vertical semicircular canals: a study in pigeons.
Calorization of the vertical semicircular canals in pigeons was performed by irrigation of water through a polyethylene cannula, that was attached at a selected site to the bony wall of the anterior or posterior canal of the labyrinth. The temperature differences between the stimulated site and the corresponding location inside the contralateral mastoid were detected by two thermistors. (a) Calorization of an anterior or posterior canal evoked a dissociated vertical nystagmus in both eyes. (b) The direction of the nystagmus and of the vertical slow phase velocity proved to be temperature-dependent. (c) The vertical eye movements disappeared when the stimulated canal was placed horizontally during calorization. (d) During parabolic flight the vertical and horizontal eye movements, elicited by sustained calorization, disappeared during short periods of microgravity and proved to be dependent to the g load. (e) All vertical canal calorizations evoked eye movements in the plane parallel to the stimulated canal. Left and right eye moved in opposite vertical directions, depending on the selected site of calorization on the vertical canal. (f) The same mode (warm or cold) of calorization of an anterior canal provoked similar vertical movements of both eyes as compared to the vertical eye movements that were induced by calorization of the contralateral posterior canal. The results are discussed in view of the 'convection current' and the 'expansion/contraction' theory and they are compared to previously reported results of vestibular nerve stimulation.
Animals↗
Pupil size and microgravity.
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Gravitation↗
Eye movements induced by calorization of the vertical semicircular canals. A study in pigeon.
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Animals↗
The caloric vestibular test in weightlessness.
Although the theoretical background for the caloric vestibular test was assumed to be known, recent studies in weightlessness have thrown doubts on the original theory of its mechanism. It is most likely that several mechanisms are involved in the generation of caloric nystagmus in addition to the convection current theory. Experiments with the caloric test in humans conducted during parabolic flight are described. These results are compared with the results of similar experiments performed in orbital missions.
Adult↗
The effect of weightlessness on the flight behavior of pigeons with canal lesions.
The flight behavior of birds in parabolic flight was studied. Pigeons with labyrinthine lesions were released in weightlessness. Birds with one obstructed labyrinth showed a barbecue spin rotation, with movement directed toward the obstructed labyrinth. The birds with vertical canal blocks showed rotatory movements in the plane of the blocked canals. In weightlessness, the head was in retroflexion and bent over the shoulder, on the side of the obstructed anterior canal. They made tumbling movements backwards around the Y-axis through the skull, and this resulted in a spiral flight pattern. In birds with both the labyrinths obstructed three different phases can be distinguished. The first phase, in which a barbecue spin rotation directed towards the most recently obstructed labyrinth was clear, lasted 1 week. In the second phase this spin behavior is superimposed on a forward tumbling movement: an "outside loop." In the third phase this tumbling phenomenon is the only pattern that remains. The experiments offer not only a model to use in the explanation of the causes of particular vertiginous complaints in human patients, but, furthermore, give an answer to the question of what specific illusions belong to specific vestibular end-organ lesions.
Animals↗
Rotation test in the weightless phase of parabolic flight.
Human test-persons and pigs were subjected to pendular swing movements during parabolic flight. The rotary-induced nystagmus frequency in pigs increased during a G-load of more than 1.5 G. In the trajectory from zero G to 1.5 G the nystagmus SPV in pigs increased. In human subjects weightlessness suppressed the rotary-induced nystagmus, and gravitational conditions over 2 G increased the nystagmus amplitude. Nystagmus responses in experienced test-persons proved to be independent of changes in G-load. The differences in the results in man and pig support the assumption that rotary-induced nystagmus is not solely a response of the cupulae and the otoliths, but is also affected by tactile and somatosensory stimulation.
Animals↗