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[Investigation on degeneration of outer hair cells in guinea pig]
Xixun Kang1, Weijia Kong, Wanrong Li
1Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Objective:
To investigate the degeneration mechanics of outer hair cells in guinea pig.
Method:
The mechanics of outer hair cells isolated by enzyme were observed under inverted microscope for 6-8 h continuously.
Result:
Over half of living outer hair cells could keep good conditions in 6 hours. During the degeneration there was always a longitudinal fold line from tip to base. Presence or absence of calcium, as well as lossing of stereociliary bundle, couldn't change the conditions of out hair cells.
Conclusion:
Neither calcium nor stereociliary bundle is the decisive cause in keeping outer hair cells alive, and its degeneration may be basically related with something surrounding the cell.

