[The orientation and its significance of aquaporin-2 in the rat inner ear].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of aquaporin-2(water channel protein; Aqp-2) in various structures of the SD rat inner ear. METHOD: Fifteen SD rat were used in this experiment and were cardically perfused. The temporal bones were taken out, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, processed and sectioned by paraffin-embedded technique. The expression and distribution of Aqp-2 in the rat inner ear were examined by SP immunohistochemical technique. RESULT: Aqp-2 were observed mainly in endolymphatic sac, stria vascularis and spiral ganglion. In addition, Aqp-2 were also labeled in Cortis organ, basilar membrane, vestibular lip and tympanic lip of spiral limus, tectorial membrane and spiral prominence. CONCLUSION: Aqp-2 distributed in the rat inner ear tissues closely related with endolymph metabolism: the endolymphatic sac and stris vascularis. Its expression in the Corti's organ gave another explanation for the handicap hearing along with endolymphatic hydrops, and the distribution of Aqp-2 in the spiral ganglion indicated its possible role in the maintenance of hearing.