Does severe water deprivation affect the inner ear?

Abstract

AbstractThrough an ultrastructural study of the endolymphatic duct (ED) and sac (ES) system, the effects of an impaired body fluid metabolism on the inner ear fluid environment in the mongolian gerbil has been evaluated. A dehydrative state has been determined depriving of water for both five and twelve days this desert animal, which is known to withstand long periods of water abstinence. The morphological changes of the ED and ES under these circumstances have been compared with those induced by ethacrynic acid intoxication. Although the cochlear partition did not show signs of damage, the ED and ES system seems to be negatively influenced by the dehydrative state and displays a marked imbibition of the subepithelial tissue, which at places shows accumulation of an organic matrix.A regulating role for the antidiuretic hormone on the inner ear fluids of the mongolian gerbil is also proposed and discussed.