The Effects of Low Dose Ethacrynic Acid on the Guinea Pig Cochlea with Special Reference to Normal Variations in the Stria Vascularis

Abstract

A controlled study of the effects of ethacrynic acid (5 mg/kg/day) vs. saline for 7 days on the guinea pig cochlea is described. The a.c. cochlear potential, d.c. endocochlear potential, Preyer pinna reflex, number of hair cells and ultrastructure of the cochlear duct were studied as indices of cochlear integrity. There were no differences between control and experimental groups in any of these indices. An unexpectedly wide variation in the histologic and cytologic appearance of the normal stria vascularis at the light and electron microscopic levels is described.