Abstract
The objective was to design in gerbils a model of reversible decrease in cochlear blood flow (CBF) and analyze its influence on cochlear function. In Mongolian gerbils injected with ferromagnetic microbeads, a magnet placed near the porus acusticus allowed CBF to be manipulated. The cochlear microphonic potential (CM) from the basal cochlea was monitored by a round-window electrode. In 13 of the 20 successfully injected gerbils, stable CBF reduction was obtained for 11.5 min on average. The CM was affected only when CBF fell to less than 60% of its baseline, yet remained >40% of its initial level in about 2/3 of such cases. After CBF restoration, CM recovery was fast and usually complete. Reduced CM came with a 35- to 45-dB threshold elevation of neural responses determined by compound action potentials. This method allowing reversible changes of CBF confirms the robustness of cochlear function to decreased CBF. It can be used to study whether a hypovascularized cochlea is abnormally sensitive to stress.
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