Ground-Based Researches on the Effects of Altered Gravity on Mice Development-

Authors
M. Jamon, N. Serradj.

Lab
Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, INSERM U910, Marseille, France.

Journal
Microgravity Science and Technology

Abstract
This chapter reviews some consequences of the exposure to an altered gravity environment on the development of small mammals. A point is made on the possible existence of several critical periods, and their interactions, in relation with the multiple points of application of the gravity influence on developing organisms, and the need to coordinate the researches on the various structures concerned. The European effort to integrate a multidisciplinary exploration, from the genes expression to the behavioural output, in a topical team is presented, and a new French centrifuge facility for mice is described. A second part reports the preliminary results of a study on the motor performance of ageing (9 months) mice exposed to Hypergravity (2 g), in the new French centrifuge, between the 10th to 31 postnatal day, a key period for motor development in mice. This study shows for the first time that a transient exposure to an hypergravity environment during the period of motor development in the mouse produced an irreversible modification of the motor function.

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Grip strength test (BIO-GS3)