Effect of reversible hypoxia on the compared time courses of endocochlear potential and 2f1-f2 distortion products

In order to study the effects of a controlled hypoxia on the cochlear active mechanisms, the 2f1-f2 distortion product (DP) and the endocochlear potential (EP) were recorded simultaneously in the same ear, in guinea pigs artificially respired with gas mixtures containing different percentages of oxygen. The data show an important difference in the behavior of the two parameters. While the EP undergoes a reduction of amplitude starting shortly after the establishment of the hypoxia, reaches a steady state, and recovers monotonically after a return to normoxic conditions, the time course of the DP is more complex. Its level also declines shortly after the beginning of the hypoxia though it slightly lags behind the EP decline. After switching back to normoxic conditions, the DP rises with an eventual delay with respect to the EP, overshoots, and then dramatically falls again. A slow recovery subsequently takes place and normal values are reached within 5 to 10 min. These results indicate a certain independence of the DP versus the EP. During the exposure to hypoxic conditions, differences in the time course and in the variation of amplitude of the two recorded parameters seem to indicate that the DPs could be more related to the OHC physiology than to the EP. The DP post-hypoxia effect observed after a return to normoxic conditions, indicates that a normal EP is not sufficient for the generation of normal DPs. Different hypotheses which could explain the DP post-hypoxia effect are discussed.