Cochleo-Saccular Degeneration in Hedlund White Mink

Abstract

Inner ear histological abnormalities can be recognized three weeks after birth in deaf Hedlund mink. Nuclear swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolization of coch-lear hair cells, rupture of the saccular wall, and atrophy of the stria vascularis were observed beginning three weeks after birth. Secretory and sensory epithelia of the utricle and ampullae were normal. Only minimal changes were found in the lining of the endolymphatic duct and sac.