Auditory brainstem responses in Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) affected with the Wh gene.
OBJECTIVE
The anophthalmic white (Wh) gene in Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) is autosomal semi-dominant and causes several developmental defects, including hearing loss. The Wh mutation is thought to be homologous to Waardenburg syndrome in humans, apparently affecting similar developmental processes. The purpose of this study was to assess the hearing of hamsters in the AN/As-Wh strain.


METHODS
Using auditory brainstem responses, electrophysiologic activity was determined in 20 hamsters of the AN/As-Wh strain, with the aim of elucidating hearing status. Hamsters were classified into five genotypes and were evaluated by use of click stimuli.


CONCLUSIONS
Hamsters assigned to the genotypes differed in their hearing sensitivity and could be classified into categories of normal hearing, moderate hearing loss, and profound hearing loss.
Amedofu
G K
GK
Department of EENT, School of Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, WA.
Gopal
K V
KV
Asher
J H
JH
Ahmadizadeh
M
M
Moore
E J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003638:Deafness / Q000235:genetics; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005838:Genotype; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D014849:Waardenburg Syndrome / Q000235:genetics