DIFFERENTIATION AND CALCIFICATION OF OTOLITHS

本实验室应用概述的技术的初步结果 初步研究表明：1）原始耳石 起源于未成熟耳石膜的分割，以及2） 钙颗粒（直径为20-150 nm）首先附着在 原始耳石的外表面， 加入到有机基质中。 该研究旨在扩大 这些研究结果，以充分调查这些进展， 时间和空间（年龄/位置）。 这项研究旨在描述最终导致 鸡胚耳石的分化和成熟：1） 分析了未成熟耳石的分割过程 2）分析有机物与生物膜之间存在的关系， 基质和矿物组分，i.例如，来源、移徙和 含钙颗粒的分布，和3）分析含钙颗粒的分布。 前庭黄斑上皮的分化和成熟 迷宫 在形态学上， 耳石和黄斑上皮，特别强调突触发生 在每一个阶段，都将进行。 3-21岁之间的12个不同年龄段 将检查孵育天数（第15-46阶段）。 将使用光镜和电镜组织化学， 将获得黄斑的薄切片，以确定 可能导致不同发展梯度的区域变化 每个macula 耳石为感官知觉和身体活动提供了不可或缺的线索。 面向环境。 虽然前庭神经的异常 神经和核有助于姿势不平衡和共济失调，耳石 末端器官为重力检测提供主要输入。 没有 耳石脊椎动物很难保持身体平衡。 然而，人们对它们的发展知之甚少。 必须全面 在我们开始了解耳石的正常发育之前， 了解遗传缺陷和致畸剂在体内产生的变化， 胚胎耳

Preliminary results in this laboratory applying the techniques outlined for the proposed investigation have shown that: 1) primitive otoconia originate from segmentation of an immature otolithic membrane, and 2) that calcium granules (20-150 nm in diameter) first become attached to the external surface of the primitive otoconia and are subsequently incorporated into the organic matrix. The proposed study intends to expand these findings in order to fully investigate the progression of these processes in time and space (age/location). The study intends to characterize the morphological changes that culminate with the differentiation and maturation of chick embryo otoliths by: 1) analyzing the details of the segmentation process of the immature otolithic membrane, 2) analyzing the relationship that exists between the organic matrix and the mineral components, i. e., origin, migration and distribution of the calcium containing granules, and 3) analyzing the differentiation and maturation of the macular epithelia in the vestibular labyrinth. A morphological correlation between the maturation of the otoliths and the macular epithelia, with special emphasis on synaptogenesis at each stage, will be carried out. Twelve different ages between 3-21 days of incubation (stages 15-46) will be examined. Light and electron microscopy histochemistry will be used and serial thick and thin sections of the maculae will be obtained in order to determine the regional changes that probably result in different developmental gradients for each macula. The otoliths provide indispensable cues for sensory perception and physical orientation to the environment. Although abnormality of the vestibular nerve and nuclei contribute to postural imbalance and ataxia, the otolithic end organs provide the primary input for gravitational detection. Without the otoliths vertebrates have great difficulty keeping body balance. Nonetheless, little is known about their development. We must fully understand the normal development of the otoliths before we can begin to understand the changes that genetic deficits and teratogens produce in the embryonic ear.