Effect of Kanamycin on Cochlear Cytoarchitecture

Abstract

Surface preparations of the organ of Corti have been studied by phase contrast microscopy in guines pigs treated with minimal doses of kanamycin. One of the earliest changes observed is a disturbance of the orderly W-pattern of the stereocilia of the outer hair cells in the basal coil. Occasional cells also show enlarged nuclei. Gaps appear in the ranks of the outer hair cells, especially in the first row, where cells have degenerated and disappeared, leaving only the empty reticular framework. At a later stage the inner hair cells also begin to drop out. Cell counts are presented showing the distribution of the losses. The method permits a quick, direct, quantitative assessment of damage to the organ of Corti, without the delays and uncertainties of the celloidin technique.