The endolymphatic surface of the stria vascularis in the guinea?pig and the effects of ethacrynic acid as shown by scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

The endolymphatic surface of the stria vascularis showed that hexagonal marginal cells usually possessed microvilli. The cells in the apical turns were more profusely covered with microvilli than those at the base and particularly in the basal turns variation existed in the surface detail. Differences in the physiological state of the cells apparently exist. In the early period of ethacrynic acid intoxication (15-30 min post-injection), when rapid changes in endolymphatic potential and ion-fluxes occur, the surface of the marginal cells showed only slight distortion. The most dramatic changes occurred 1 h post-injection; cells swelled and lost microvilli. This distortion persisted up to 2 h post-injection. The possible cause is discussed.