Skip to main content
Log in

The cochlear potentials

II. The nature of the cochlear endolymphatic resting potential

  • Published:
Pflügers Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The effect, on the endocochlear resting potential (ERP) of anoxemia, cyanide, pH changes and changes of the electrolyte composition of the perilymph was studied.

The ERP appears to be composed of two components: a negative potentialE-mainly determined by the K+ gradient between endolymph and perilymph or plasma and a positive potentialE + due to an ouabain- and anoxia-sensitive electrogenic K+ pump represented by the Na+-K+-ATPase system of the stria vascularis.

Maintenance of the ionic concentrations of the endolymph appears to require in addition active transport of Na+ and Cl out of the endolymph.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bonting, S. L., Becker, B.: Studies on sodium-potassium activated adenosine-triphosphatase XIV. Inhibition of enzyme activity and aqueous humor flow in the rabbit eye after intravitreal injection of ouabain. Invest. Ophthal.3, 523 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  2. —, Canady, M. R.: Studies on Na−K activated ATPase XII. Na−K-activated ATPase and sodium transport in toad bladder. Amer. J. Physiol.207, 1005 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  3. —, Caravaggio, L. L., Canady, M. R., Hawkins, N. M.: Studies on sodium-potassium activated adenosinetriphosphatase XI. The salt gland of the herring gull. Arch. Biochem.106, 49 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bosher, S. K., Warren, R. L.: Observations on the electrochemistry of the cochlear endolymph of the rat: a quantitative study of its electrical potential and ionic composition as determined by means of flame spectrophotometry. Proc. roy. Soc. B.171, 227 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Butler, R. A.: Some experimental observations on the resting potentials in the guinea pig cochlea. J. acoust. Soc. Amer.37, 429 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cole, D. F.: Electrochemical changes associated with the formation of aqueous humor. Brit. J. Ophthal.45, 202 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Duvall, A. J.: Ultrastructure of the lateral cochlear wall following intermixing of fluids. Ann. Otol. (St. Louis)77, 317 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Eggemann, S., Bruchmüller, W.: Die Kohlensäureanhydratase im Innenohr des Meerschweinchens und ihre Hemmung. Arch. klin. exp. Ohr.,- Nas.- u. Kehlk.-Heilk.190, 450 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Erulkar, S. D., Maren, T. H.: Carbonic anhydrase and the inner ear. Nature (Lond.)189, 459 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Haskell J. A., Clemons, R. D., Harvey, W. R.: Active transport by the cecropia midgut. I. Inhibitors, stimulants and potassium transport. J. cell. comp. Physiol.65, 45 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Herrera, F. C.: Bioelectric properties and ionic content in toad bladder. J. gen. Physiol.51, 261 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hodgkin, A. L., Katz, B.: The effect of ions on the electrical activity of the giant axon of the squid. J. Physiol. (Lond.)108, 37 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Honrubia, V., Johnstone, B. M., Butler, R. A.: Maintenance of cochlear potentials during asphyxia. Acta oto-larnyg. (Stockh.)60, 105 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Johnson, R. L., Spoendlin, H. H.: Structural evidence of secretion in the stria vascularis. Ann. Otol., (St. Louis)75, 127 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Johnstone, B. M.: The relation between endolymph and the endocochlear potential during anoxia. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.)60, 113 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  16. —: Genesis of the cochlear endolymphatic potential. Curr. Topics in Bioenerg.2, 335 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Koefoed-Johnsen, V.: Effect, of g-strophantin (ouabain) on the active transport of sodium through isolated frog skin. Acta physiol. scand.42, Suppl.145, 87 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Konishi, T., Butler, R. A., Fernández, C.: Effect of anoxia on cochlear potentials. J. acoust. Soc. Amer.33, 349 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  19. —, Kelsey, E.,: Effect of sodium deficiency on cochlear potentials. J. acoust. Soc. Amer.43, 462 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  20. ——: Effect of tetrodotoxin and procain on cochlear potentials. J. acoust. Soc. Amer.43, 471 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  21. ——, Singleton, G. T.: Effects of chemical alteration in the endolymph on the cochlear potentials. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.)62, 393 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kuijpers, W.: Cation transport and cochlear function Thesis, Nijmegen 1969.

  23. — Bonting, S. L..: Localization and properties of ATPase in the inner ear of the guinea pig. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.)173, 477 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  24. ——: The cochlear potentials. I. The effect of ouabain on the cochlear potentials of the guinea pig. Pflügers Arch.320, 348 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Loewenstein, W. R., Terzuolo, A. A., Washizu, Y.: Separation of transducer and impulse-generating processes in sensory receptors. Science142, 1180 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Marmor, M. F., Gorman, A. L. F.: Membrane potential as the sum of ionic and metabolic components. Science167, 65 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Misrahy, G. A., Hildreth K. M., Clark, L. C., Shinabarger, E. W.: Measurement of the pH of the endolymph in the cochlea of guinea pigs. Amer. J. Physiol.194, 393 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Morizono, T., Johnstone, B. M., Kaldor., J.: Cochlear blood volume in the guinea pig measured with Cr51 labelled red blood cells. Otol. Fukuoka.14, 82 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ozaki, M., Sato, M.: Changes in the membrane potential and the membrane conductance associated with a sustained depolarization of the non-myelinated nerve terminal in Pacinian corpuscles. J. Physiol. (Lond.)180, 186 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Patlak, C. S.: Potential difference of the ventricular fluid in vivo and in vitro in dogfish. Fed. Proc.23, 211 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Rauch, S.: Biochemie des Hörorgans. Stuttgart: G. Thieme 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Rice, E. A., Shinabarger, E. W.: Studies on the endolymphatic DC potential of the guinea pig's cochlea. J. acoust. Soc. Amer.33, 922 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Schoffeniels, E.: Cellular aspects of membrane permeability. Oxford: Pergamon 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Slegers, J. F. G., Moons, W. M.: Effect, of acetazolamide on the chloride shift and the sodium pump in secretory cells. Nature (Lond.)220, 181 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Tasaki, I., Davis, H., Eldredge, D. H.: Exploration of cochlear potentials in guinea pig with a microelectrode. J. acoust. Soc. Amer.26, 765 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Thesleff, S., Schmidt-Nielsen, K.: An electrophysiological study of the salt gland of the herring gull. Amer. J. Physiol.202, 597 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Ussing, H. H., Biber, T. V., Bricker, N. S.: Exposure of the isolated frog skin to high potassium concentration at the internal surface. II. Changes in epithelial cell volume, resistance and response to antidiuretic hormone. J. gen. Physiol.48, 425 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Vates, T., Bonting, S. L., Oppelt, W. W.: Na−K-activated adenosine triphosphatase and formation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cat. Amer. J. Physiol.206, 1165 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Wood, J. L., Farrand, P. S., Harvey, W. R.: Active transport of potassium by the cecropia, midgut. VI. Microelectrode potential profile. J. exp. Biol.50, 169 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kuijpers, W., Bonting, S.L. The cochlear potentials. Pflugers Arch. 320, 359–372 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588214

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588214

Key-Words

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation