The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Newborn Rats

Abstract

To study the development of vestibular functioning, the vestibulo-ocular reflex was tested in rats of increasing age. High frequency electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve elicited characteristic conjugate eye movements in newborn rats well before the eyes were open (about day 15 after birth) and before the semicircular canals had reached full adult size (about day 22 after birth). The threshold currents decreased during growth.