Effect of the Osmotic Pressure of Solutions Applied to the Cochlea of Guinea Pigs and Cats on Cochlear Potentials

Abstract

In experiments involving cochlear application of drugs, one must consider the osmotic pressure of the solutions applied. Intracochlear injection in guinea pigs, and round window application in cats, of solutions with a tonicity of twice that of ordinary Ringer's solution causes a depression of the action potential. Solutions with tonicities of up to 20 times that of ordinary Ringer's solution did not have any effect on the cochlear microphonic potentials. An attempt is made to analyse these results.