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Receptor maturation and synaptogenesis in the golden hamster cochlea

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Summary

Maturation of hamster cochlea was studied using light and electron microscopy.

Critical stages of receptor and neural structure development have been determined. At birth the hamster cochlea shows a pronounced immaturity, but innervation can already be found. 2 or 3 days later, characteristic afferent synapses can be recognized beginning at the inner hair cell level. Similarly, efferent endings first appear on the inner side at the end of the first week.

The onset of auditory function must be related to structures depicted at around 10 days, and cochlear maturation is achieved at about 25 days.

The sequence of synaptic development in the cochlea is discussed regarding the general morphogenesis of synapses within the nervous system. Some determinations of the timing of peripheral myelination are given. This process begins almost a week before the presumable date of the onset of function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie Sensorielle, Universite de Provence, Centre Saint-Jérôme, F-13397, Marseille Cedex 4, France

    R. Pujol & M. Abonnenc

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  1. R. Pujol
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  2. M. Abonnenc
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Additional information

Supported by grants from INSERM (ATP 6-74-27), CNRS (ATP 1422) and DGRST (AC-BRD No. 75-7-1332)

The collaboration of Mrs. C. Devigne is gratefully acknowledged, as well as the technical assistance of M. L. Agate and Mrs. M. R. Ibrahim. Electron microscopic observations have been done using equipment of the Unité de Recherches Neurobiologiques (INSERM, Marseille): the authors are indebted to Professor P. Dell and Dr. P. Angaut.

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Pujol, R., Abonnenc, M. Receptor maturation and synaptogenesis in the golden hamster cochlea. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 217, 1–12 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00453886

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00453886

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