The Spiral Vessel and Stria Vascularis in Shaker-1 Mice: Electron Microscopic and Histochemical Observations

Abstract

The spiral vessel beneath the tunnel of Corti undergoes involution and loses its lumen at two weeks after birth in Shaker-1 mice. At this stage, and until well into the second month after birth, the stria vascularis appears almost normal by electron microscopy as well as in terms of ATP-ase distribution. Loss of the spiral vessel may well be an important factor in the subsequent degeneration of the hair cells and neural elements of the organ of Corti in Shaker-1 mice.