The Total Protein of Human Perilymph

Abstract

Total protein values were determined from the perilymph of 47 cadaver ears. After subtraction of hemoglobin the average total protein for two series of 27 and 10 ears was 553 and 559 mg%, respectively. When the perilymph specimens were taken directly without freezing the average total protein figures were reduced to 280 (cochlea) or 312 mg% (vesti-bulum). The average hemoglobin concentration in the latter series was 42 and 39 mg% as compared with the values 124 and 118 mg% in the former two series. Albumin was the main constituent of perilymph proteins, accounting for more than half of the total. It is concluded that values representing the living normal state in man are difficult to obtain but, allowing for the post-mortem changes in CSF total protein, the true values may be estimated at 50 to 100 mg%.