Otoconia on the vestibular dark cells of the ampullar areas

Morphological and metabolic differences in the otoconia on vestibular dark cells of the ampullar area before and after streptomycin treatment were studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalyser. Young adult pigmented guinea pigs were used in this study. In the control group, distribution of the otoconia showed a regular pattern. In the SM group the otoconia decreased in numbers and the regularity of the distribution pattern seemed to disappear. Calcium content of the otoconia in SM group also decreased. From these findings, it was concluded that SM might affect not only the sensory and supporting cells but also the vestibular dark cells.