Effects of cisplatin on the auditory function of ovariectomized rats with estrogen deficiency

The ovariectomy in rats does not change their auditory function. However, combining ovariectomy with Cisplatin treatment increases the risk of damaging the auditory function relative to the ototoxic effect caused by Cisplatin alone or ovariectomy alone.

The auditory benefit from estrogen depends on a number of factors that make findings among studies controversial. The present study was to examine the impact of Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug, on the auditory function of ovariectomized rats.

Thirty-two female rats were assigned to three groups (OVX + C, OVX - C, Sham + C). The rats in the OVX + C and OVX - C groups received bilateral ovariectomy, and those in the Sham + C group received a sham surgery with intact ovaries. After 6 weeks the rats in the OVX + C and Sham + C groups were then treated with Cisplatin for 4 days, but not those in the OVX - C group (control). The auditory function was measured with DPOAE SNRs and ABR thresholds before the surgery and after the Cisplatin treatment.

The OVX + C group had significantly decreased the DPOAE SNRs and increased the ABR thresholds relative to the Sham + C group at stimulus frequencies between 2-8 kHz, and the Sham + C group also had worse auditory function than the OVX - C group.