Digital Commons Network^™

Elliptical-P Cells In The Avian Perilymphatic Interface Of The Tegmentum Vasculosum, C. D. Fermin, D. H. Lee, D. S. Martin

Scanning Microscopy

Elliptical cells (E-P) are present at the perilymphatic interface lumen (PIL) of the lagena. The E-P cells often separate from the tegmentum vasculosum (TV) and have touching processes that form a monolayer between the K⁺ rich perilymph and the Na⁺ rich endolymph, similar to the mammalian Reissner's membrane. We examined the TV of chicks (Gallus domesticus) and quantitated the expression of anti-S100ααββ and S100β. There was a 30% increase of S100β saturation in the light cells facing the PIL when compared to other TV light cells. We show that: (1) the dimer anti-S100ααββ and …

The Ampullae Of The Inner Ear In The Lizard Podarcis S. Sicula. Ultrastructural Aspects, G. Balsamo, B. Avallone, D. Calabro, F. Marmo

Scanning Microscopy

The inner ear ampullae of the lizard Podarcis s. sicula were studied to determine better the ultrastructure of ampullar epithelial cells.

Our study confirmed that the ampullae of the membranous labyrinth of this lizard are similar to those of other vertebrates in their ultrastructural aspect.

Moreover, our observations revealed a special type of dark cells, restricted to a small area of the crista. They appeared similar to type II sensory cells and showed a dark, finely granular cytoplasm, containing numerous mitochondria and ribosomes, extensive Golgi apparatus and abundant glycogen.

The morphology of these cells suggests that they may be …

Semiquantitative Analysis By Scanning Electron Microscopy Of Cochlear Hair Cell Damage By Ototoxic Drugs, Takehisa Saito, Yasuhiro Manabe, Noriyuki Honda, Takechiyo Yamada, Takehito Yamamoto, Hitoshi Saito

Scanning Microscopy

The ototoxicity of cisplatin and carboplatin in the organ of Corti of the guinea pig was evaluated semiquantitatively. Damage of the stereocilia of outer hair cells (OHCs) observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was classified into normal, grade 1 (10-50% loss of stereocilia), grade 2 (less than 50% remaining stereocilia), or grade 3 (missing stereocilia). The OHCs observed by light microscopy (LM) were classified as remaining or missing cells. Fifty OHCs of each row in the middle part of each turn of the cochlea were counted (a total of 150 cells per turn). Guinea pigs were administered 5 mg/kg of …