[Protein study on perilymph susbstitution during cerebrospinal fluid flow through cochlear aqueduct]

Total protein contents in the perilymphy of Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani as well as in the cerobrospinal fluid (CSF) of guinea-pigs were determined, by which specimens were taken under the following various conditions: With or without subarachnoidal puncture before perilymph collection, by varying the amount of perilymph taken from Scala tympani, by fractionating collection and under post mortem condition. The results suggest that under physiological conditions the CSF also flows through the cochleae aqueduct and the protein concentration in the Scala tympani decreases especially in the basal winding. Because the protein content in CSF is inaverage four times lower than in fluids of the inner ear it is of preference to consider the question of connection between the CSF and the fluids of the inner ear. In the specimens taken the blood contamination was estimated on the basisof erythrocytes in the connection capillaries under microscope. The protein content in the perilymph of Scala vestibuli was found significantly higher in relation to perilymph of Scala tympani.