Electron microscopic observation of communication between inner ear stereocilia under normal and noise stimulated...

The ultrastructure of communication between inner ear stereocilia under normal and noise stimulated conditions was studied in the guinea pig. With ruthenium red added to the pre- and post fixation solutions, the connections between the stereocilia could be observed in more detail than with ordinary fixation. After exposure to 1,000 Hz 110 dBSPL sound for 3 h, parts of the connections between the stereocilia had disappeared, and adherence between the adjoining stereocilia was observed. The results of our study lend support to the fact that the congregation of stereocilia after noise stimulation is due to the sticky adjoining stereocilia membrane.