Summary
A tannic acid-osmium staining technique and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy were used to demonstrate changes in the glycocalyx and ciliary interconnections of the vestibular sensory cells of guinea pigs after extradural obliteration of the endolymphatic sac and duct. Three months after the obliteration, it was possible to observe degeneration in the glycocalyx and the ciliary interconnections as well as the tip links. These findings suggest that the endolymphatic hydrops causes an endolymphatic ionic imbalance which affects the glycocalyx and ciliary interconnections resulting in further morphological changes of the cilia. The tip links, which are believed to be involved in sensory cell transduction, also seem to be affected.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albers FWJ (1988) Functional structure of the inner ear in experimental hydrops. Thesis, Utrecht
Bagger-Sjöbäck D, Takumida M (1988) Geometrical array of the vestibular sensory hair bundle. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 106:393–403
Comis SD, Osborne MP, Jeffries DJR (1990) Effect of furosemide upon morphology of hair bundles in guinea pig cochlear hair cells. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 109:49–56
Horner KC, Cazals Y, Aurousseau C, Erre JP, Guilhaume A (1989) Morpho-physiological alterations of the inner ear induced by hydrops in the guinea pig. In: Nadol JB Jr (ed) Wèniér's disease. Kugler and Ghedini, Amsterdam, pp 351–352
Kimura RS (1968) Experimental production of endolymphatic hydrops. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1:457–471
Kimura RS, Schuknecht HF (1965) Membranous hydrops in the inner ear of the guinea pig after obliteration of the endolymphatic sac. Pract Otorhinolaryngol 27:343–354
Konishi T, Kelsey E, Singleton GT (1966) Effects of chemical alteration in the endolymph on the cochlear potentials. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 62:393–404
Jahnke K (1989) The ultrastructure of the vestibular end organs in Wèmiére's disease. In: Nadol JB Jr (ed) Mènieré's disease. Kugler and Ghedini, Amsterdam, pp 313–321
Lim DJ (1986) Functional structure of the organ of Corti: a review. Hear Res 22:117–146
Lindslay JR (1968) Histopathology of Wèniére's disease as observed by light microscopy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1:119–129
Oda K, Takumida M, Hirakawa K, Harada Y (1990) Changes in the vestibular end organs in the experimental endlymphatic hydrops. Ear Res Jpn 21:271–272
Pickles JO, Comis SD, Osborne MP (1984) Cross-links between stereocilia in the guinea pig organ of Corti, and their possible relation to sensory transduction. Hear Res 15:103–112
Pickles JO, Osborne MP, Comis SD (1987) The vulnerability of tip links between stereocilia to acoustic trauma in the guinea pig. Hear Res 25:173–183
Pickles SD, Comis SD, Osborne MP (1987) The effect of chronic application of kanamycin on stereocilia and their tip links in hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea. Hear Res 29:237–244
Ruding PRJW (1988) Experimental endolymphatic hydrops: a histochemical study. Thesis, Utrecht
Slepecky N, Chamberlain SC (1985) The cell coat of inner ear sensory and supporting cells as demonstrated by ruthenium red. Hear Res 17:281–288
Takumida M, Wersäll J, Bagger-Sjöbäck D (1988) Stereociliar glycocalyx and interconnections in the guinea pig vestibular organs. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 106:130–139
Takumida M, Wersäll J, Bagger-Sjöbäck D (1988) Sensory hair fusion and glycocalyx changes after gentamicin exposure in the guinea pig. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 107:39–47
Takumida M, Bagger-Sjöbäck D, Wersäll J, Harada Y (1989) The effect of gentamicin on the glycocalyx and the ciliary interconnections in vestibular sensory cells: a high resolution scanning electron microscopic investigation. Hear Res 37:163–170
Vosteen KH, Morgenstern C (1986) Biochemical aspects of inner ear pathophysiology. In: Pfaltz CR (ed) Controversial aspects of Mèniére's disease. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 16–28
Wersäll J, Björkroth B, Flock Å, Lundquist PG (1971) Sensory hair fusion in vestibular sensory cells after gentamycin exposure. Arch Klin Exp Ohren Nasen Kehlkopfheilkd 200:1–14
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oda, K., Takumida, M., Hirakawa, K. et al. The effect of endolymphatic sac obliteration on vestibular sensory hair bundles. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 249, 47–51 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175671
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175671