Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity identifies possible catecholaminergic fibers in the organ of Corti.
Antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase were used in an immunocytochemical examination of catecholamines in the cochlea. In cryostat sections, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-like immunoreactivities fibers were seen in the modiolus that did not extend to the organ of Corti. These corresponded to blood vessel-associated and non-blood vessel-associated fibers that have been previously described with histofluorescence. In surface preparations, tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity was seen in the organ of Corti, in the inner and tunnel spiral bundles, suggesting an efferent component may be catecholaminergic.
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000032:analysis*; D003051:Cochlea / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis*
D002395:Catecholamines; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase