Abstract
This study evaluated active posture control in guinea-pigs under motion sickness stimulation. Twelve guinea-pigs, which received training to stay on a moving perch, were divided into two groups: a motion sickness stimulation group and a control group. The motion sickness group was given a combined stimulation of turntable rotation and optokinetic drum rotation, and the control group was given turntable stimulation alone. Motion sickness was evaluated by conditioned taste aversion to saccharin solution. Active posture control was evaluated by the angle of nose tip displacement and the staying duration (length of time that guinea-pigs stayed on the turntable). The consumption of saccharin solution increased in the control group but did not increase in the motion sickness group. The motion sickness group showed a significant increase in the mean angle of nose tip displacement and a significant decrease in the staying duration on the turntable. These results indicate that active posture control was disturbed by motion sickness stimulation.