title: Formation and fate of giant otoconia of the guinea pig following streptomycin intoxication.
abstract: Formation and fate of abnormal (giant) otoconia of the guinea pig following streptomycin intoxication were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The giant otoconia formed as multifaceted morphology in their early developmental period. They grew up the the transitional type and finally to the cylindrical type. It has been suggested that the giant otoconia found following streptomycin intoxication may be formed mainly by dissolution of normal otoconia due to the loss of environmental calcium, followed by recrystallization as giant crystals. These phenomena seemed to be closely related to the otoconial dynamics which may regulate calcium ion homeostasis of the endolymph.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takumida
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yajin
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Harada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000187:drug effects; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013307:Streptomycin