Development of the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei in rat and effects of acoustic deprivation.
Patterns of normal development of the rat dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei (DCN, VCN) and the changes induced in the adult by postnatal acoustic deprivation were examined using volumetric determinations. VCN and DCN showed striking increases in size during the interval from postnatal days 10 to 16 which includes meatus opening. Sound deprivation from postnatal day 10 resulted in the most pronounced reduction in both DCN and VCN. The findings suggest a sensitive period during which structural development in the cochlear nuclei is influenced by acoustic stimuli.
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012683:Sensory Deprivation