Effects of aging on C57BL/6J mice: an electrophysiological and morphological study

Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 2002:59:106-11. doi: 10.1159/000059247.

Abstract

Presbycusis is a progressive hearing loss associated with aging that manifests as deafness linked to cochlear morphological degeneration. The effects of aging on the auditory system were studied in C57BL/6J mice using electrophysiological (brainstem auditory evoked potentials; BAEP) and morphological techniques. Cochleae of animals aged 1, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 months old were used for that purpose. The BAEP showed a progressive increase in latency and a reduction in amplitude. Morphological studies demonstrated total degeneration of the organ of Corti, which was replaced by a single epithelial layer. An affinity histochemistry study demonstrated minor modifications of glycoconjugates in the organ of Corti during the aging process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cochlea / metabolism
  • Cochlea / pathology*
  • Cochlea / physiopathology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / physiology*
  • Glycoconjugates / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Organ of Corti / metabolism
  • Organ of Corti / pathology
  • Organ of Corti / physiopathology
  • Presbycusis / metabolism
  • Presbycusis / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Glycoconjugates