[Autoradiographic investigations on the developing otic capsule of hamsters (author's transl)]

Cellular and intercellular metabolism of the developing otic capsule of the newborn hamster is investigated by means of autoradiography. The labelling patterns of periostal and endostal osteoblasts are compared with the finding on long bones. The low metabolic turnover within the cartilage before ossification and histological changes in an ossification center are discussed. The number of interglobular spaces decreases in the early phase of life and do not show activity. The globuli ossei appear to be a bony new formation. No indication for metaplastic development from the original cartilage was found. Labelling patterns appeared identical as in other developing ossicular bone. Intralacunar apposition of osteocytes was seen.