Expresssion of otoconin 90 in guinea pigs inner ear

Objective To examine expression of otoconin 90 in the guinea pig inner ear and assess its role in otoconia metabolism.Methods Inner ear sections from normal guinea pigs were immunohistochemically stained using the SP(streptavidin-perosidase) method to detect expression of otoconin 90 and examined under a microscopy.Results Expression of otoconin 90 was seen not only in the macula sensory epithelium of the utricle and saccule,but also in their neighboring and opposing opposite nonsensory epithelium of them.In addition,ampullae,semicircular canals and Corti's organs in the Cochlea also showed strong otoconin 90 expression.Positive staining was also visible in the sac of utricle,saccule and semicircular canals.Conclusion Otoconin 90 is expressed in multiple sites in the inner ear in guinea pigs,suggesting that otoconin 90 may be generated at various locations in the inner ear,and transferred to the maculae,where it is incorporated with Ca++ to form otoconia.