Behavioural changes induced by early and long-term gravito-inertial force modification in the rat

The study concerns rats conceived, born and raised in a hypergravity environment (HG: 2 g) for 3 months using a centrifuge. They were then exposed to terrestrial gravity (I g) and submitted to behavioural tests investigating their spontaneous locomotor activity (open-field), their posture (support surface), and their vestibular function (air-righting reflex). Performances were compared to age-matched control rats housed at I g for the same time period. Results showed static and dynamic behavioural deficits as early as the rats were exposed to normal gravity. They exhibited strongly increased motor activity in open-field, with longer travelled distances and more scattered trajectories; in addition, the HG rats displayed more numerous rearings than controls did. They showed postural changes characterized by an enlarged support surface and they did not succeed in the air-righting reflex, due to increased time-delay for head righting. None of these changes were permanent. Indeed, for all tests, the HG rats tested after 3 weeks spent in normal terrestrial gravity exhibited behaviours similar to those of the controls. HG-induced changes in the functional properties of the vestibular system may explain the deficits showed by the HG rats once exposed to normal gravity. The adaptation process to I g leading to the appearance of normal behaviour takes about 3 weeks. It likely implicates a central re-evaluation of the sensory inputs and an updating of the motor commands. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.