Oxidative Enzymes in the Cochlea An Electron Microscopic and Histochemical Study of Succinic Dehydrogenase and Dihydronicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Diaphorase

Abstract

Recently developed formazan techniques for the electron microscopic localization of SDH and NADH-D revealed details about the way that these enzymes are distributed in the cochlea. The degree of activity that was manifested on light microscopy by each kind of cell correlated with its mitochondrial content. The stria vascularis was very reactive. Supporting cells showed more activity than hair cells. This technique revealed precise localization of activity on the membranes of mitochondria. NADH-D appears to be present in the parallel membrane and cistern system that is arranged longitudinally in hair cells.