High-resolution scanning-electron microscopy of stereocilia using the osmium-thiocarbohydrazide coating technique

Further observations on the detailed morphology of stereocilia have been made using high-resolution scanning-electron microscopy of osmium-thiocarbohydrazide-coated guinea pig cochleae. Three types of cross-link have been observed between stereocilia. Side-to-side and row-to-row linkages are composed of a filamentous network whilst upward-pointing links are a fine single strand, often with a terminal widening. The stereocilia have rough surfaces. These features are observed on both inner and outer hair cells despite reported sensitivity to long periods of osmium fixation. We suggest that osmium sensitivity may be altered by the buffering conditions used during preparation. The observations on osmium-coated material correspond more closely with those made using transmission-electron microscopy than those made using other scanning-electron microscopical preparation techniques, since gold-coating artefacts are absent and the degree of specimen collapse is less. This has enabled us to observe fine details of the links and their attachments which have not been reported previously in SEM.