[Animal experiment histological-histochemical studies on the development of hearing disorders related to hypothyroidism]

Abstract

It has been known for a long time that hearing deficits may coexist in patients with thyroid disease, but without definite morphologic evidence present to correlate gland dysfunction with hearing disturbances. To clarify this relationship between thyroid dysfunction and hearing disturbances, the guinea pig was employed as an experimental model. 70 animals were thyroidectomized, and maintained in a hypothyroid state for varying periods of time. The animals were then sacrificed, and various histochemical studies then performed. These studies included analysis for glycosidase (beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, n-acetyl-beta-glucosamide), non-specific esterases, sulfatases, sulghydryl groups as well as mucous substances within the cochlea and saccus endolymphaticus of the experimental animals. Results indicated that hyaluronidase-sensitive mucous substances were increased in the scala of the inner ear. As a consequence of increased deposition of acid mucopolysaccharides, the relationship of potassium to sodium in endolymph and perilymph was found markedly altered. Marked swelling of the chambers of the inner ear was noted, and believed to represent hydropic induction by acid mucopolysaccharide-with consequent alteration of electrolyte relationships ("Electrochemical Theory").