Protein distribution in the human perilymph. A comparative study between perilymph (post mortem), CSF and blood serum.

The large differences in the protein content of perilymph and serum as well as the perilymph volume limit of 10-15 microliter cause serious problems when collecting samples of uncontaminated perilymph in order to analyse its protein composition. In 8 out of 24 extremely carefully taken samples of perilymph removed during autopsy, we were able, by keeping to certain selection criteria, to carry out electrophoretic analyses which were suitable for reproduction and comparison. Comparison of human perilymph, CSF and serum, using SDS-Page and Western blotting, gave the expected agreement which had been suggested by tests on guinea pigs. However, a closer examination of individual proteins pointed to some relatively large differences in quantity and quality.