Endolymph formation in the inner ear of pigeons.

The endolymphatic space of pigeons was studied by using double-barrelled electrodes with a potassium liquid ion exchanger. The K+ activity of the endolymph was 155 mM in the cochlea and 133 mM in the ampulla, respectively. Positive DC potential in the cochlea (+14.5 mV) was much lower than in guinea pigs (+80 mV) whereas in the ampulla of pigeons the DC potential (+7.4 mV) was 2 times higher than that of guinea pigs (+3.9 mV). General application of ethacrynic acid in pigeons induced a weak change in DC potential and no typical intercellular edema in the cochlea and ampulla. Local application of ethacrynic acid and ouabain in the cochlea and ampulla of pigeons induced a negative DC potential of between -30 and -40 mV. This negative DC potential was higher than the anoxia-induced negative potential. Short hypoxia during a drug-induced DC potential resulted in a decrease in DC potential above the diffusion potential. Below the diffusion potential additional hypoxia increased the DC potential independent of the cause of intoxication.