Influence of the vestibular system on the neonatal motor behaviors in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.06.004
• Publication Date: 2023-06-17T06:17:20Z
• Authors: Frédéric Lanthier; Jessica Laforge; Jean-François Pfl...
• Keywords: Monodelphis domestica; Forelimb

Marsupials are born very immature yet must be sufficiently autonomous to crawl on the mother's belly, find a teat and attach it pursue their development. Sensory inputs necessary guide newborn induce attachment. The vestibular system, which perceives gravity head movements, is one of senses proposed newborns towards teats but there conflicting observations about its functionality at birth (postnatal day (P) 0). To test if system opossum functional can influence locomotion, we used two approaches. First, stimulated apparatus in vitro preparations from opossums aged P1 P12 recorded motor responses: all ages studied, mechanical pressures applied organs induced spinal roots activity whereas tilts did not forelimb muscle contractions. Second, using immunofluorescence, assessed presence Piezo2, protein involved mechanotransduction hair cells. Piezo2 labeling was scant utricular macula birth, observed P7, intensity increasing up P14; seemed stay same P21. Our results indicate that neural pathways labyrinth cord already place around too before end second postnatal week opossum. It may rule marsupial species becomes only after birth.