The post-natal mammalian labyrinthine secretory epithelium in vitro

Newborn and mature inner ears from the guinea pig and the CBA/CBA mouse were explanted to an in vitro system. Special attention was paid to the secretory regions of the labyrinth showing surviving cells during the investigated period of 1 week on organ culture. Cells comprising the stria vascularis and the dark cells of the vestibular organs were both morphologically rather well preserved. Degenerative cytological alterations became apparent towards the end of the culture period.