Response of the stria vascularis to corticosteroids.

Structural changes in the cellular architecture of the stria vascularis in adrenalectomized rats were quantitated by stereological methods after the administration of either aldosterone or dexamethasone. The volume densities of the differing strial components from steroid-administered animals were determined to approximate those of sham-adrenalectomized animals in general. The increased volume density of intercellular space as was observed following adrenalectomy, however, was only restored after the administration of aldosterone. These data correlate a recovery of the cellular architecture of the stria vascularis in adrenalectomized animals with the restoration of endogenous levels of adrenal steroids. These findings provide further information with regard to the effects of varying serum levels of corticosteroids on inner ear morphology.