INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF SPACEFLIGHT FACTORS ON EQUILIBRIUM ORGANS OF FISH DANIO RERIO
The paper presents the results of histological analysis of equilibrium organs in fish Danio rerio maintained in a bespoke aquarium over 36 days aboard the International space station. Histological patterns of sensory organs of the space-flown fishes and laboratory controls were compared. Fish organs sensitive to water wavering are the vestibular apparatus, lateral line and swim bladder. Histological preparations of the flight fishes differed from the controls in the internal ear anatomy, diminution of the statoconic membrane that locates mostly in the saccules and utriculus ampullie. The histological sections show distinctly a number of structural changes in the swim bladder of the space fishes such as shrinkage and twisting of all bladder membranes. These structural developments can be attributed to fish adaptation to the extended exposure in a changed gravity.