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Electrophysiological properties of the utricular primary transducer are modified during development under hypergravity
Author(s) -
Chabbert Christian,
Brugeaud Aurore,
Lennan Georges,
Lehouelleur Jacques,
Sans Alain
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02682.x
Subject(s) - electrophysiology , hypergravity , utricle , chemistry , anatomy , hair cell , biology , biophysics , inner ear , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , neuroscience
The electrophysiological development of hair cells between birth and the eight postnatal day (P8) was studied in the utricular macula of rats gestated in nest boxes mounted upon a centrifuge, subjecting the animals to a gravitational force of 2G. Whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings were made on cells in the acutely isolated epithelium. Cells were accessed through a tear in the epithelium, no enzymatic dissociation procedures were employed. Under artificially enhanced gravity, the whole cell conductance was dramatically altered in the two types of hair cells. Significant increases occurred from P3–4 in the type I cells while in the type II cells, the effect was delayed until P7–8. Fourfold and threefold increases of the mean slope conductance were observed at P7–8 in the type I and type II hair cells, respectively. These results indicate that the electrophysiological properties of a primary transducer such as utricle may be modified by variation of the primary stimulus during development.