Effect on endocochlear potential of streptomycin perfusion of the cochlea in guinea pigs

Perilymphatic perfusion of the cochlea with streptomycin was performed on 17 guinea pigs. The first and second group, consisting of five animals each, received streptomycin 150 micrograms and 1500 micrograms respectively. In a control group, consisting of seven animals, the perilymph was perfused with artificial perilymph only. The endocochlear potential (EP) was recorded from the second turn of the cochlea in each animal. The results indicate that streptomycin in a low dosage that will destroy the vestibular receptors was not harmful to the function of either the stria vascularis or the hair cells in the cochlea, as measured by changes in the EP after streptomycin perfusion of the cochlea.