Summary
The effect of ouabain on the endocochlear resting potential (ERP) and cochlear microphonic potential (CMP) was studied by continuous perfusion of the perilymphatic space with ouabain in Krebs-Ringer solution.
Ouabain caused a concentration-dependent depression of both ERP and CMP. A striking similarity was found in thepI50 (5.4–5.5) for both ERP and CMP and the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the stria vascularis.
It was concluded that the ERP is generated by the Na+-K+-ATPase system in the stria vascularis. The CMP appears to depend strongly on the ERP, although a contribution of the DC potential of the cells of the organ of Corti seems likely.
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Kuijpers, W., Bonting, S.L. The cochlear potentials. Pflugers Arch. 320, 348–358 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588213
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588213