Effect of early postnatal air-conduction auditory deprivation on the development and function of the rat spiral ganglion

Abstract

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the effect of early postnatal air-conduction auditory deprivation on the development and function of the rat spiral ganglion.Study design:Randomised animal study.Methods:Sixty neonatal Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: controls (n = 30) given regular chow and water ad libitum; and study animals (n = 30) fed within a soundproof chamber. Auditory brainstem response testing was conducted in both groups on postnatal day 42.Results:Auditory deprivation between postnatal days 12 and 42 resulted in an increased hearing threshold and reduced auditory brainstem response amplitudes, together with degeneration of type I spiral ganglion neurons and the presence of apoptotic cells.Conclusion:Non-invasive auditory deprivation during a critical developmental period resulted in numerous changes in rat cochlear function and morphology.