Incorporation of inositol in the cochlear tissues as determined by autoradiography.

The sites of incorporation of [3H]inositol perfused perilymphatically in the guinea pig cochlea were localized autoradiographically. In the organ of Corti, active incorporation occurred in the synapses, nerve fibers, pillars and nuclei of various cells. Both hair cells and supporting cells moderately incorporated inositol. In the lateral wall of the cochlear duct marked incorporation was observed in the epithelia of the vascular stria and spiral prominence. The possible involvement of inositol phospholipids in auditory transduction at the organ of Corti and in ionic transport in the lateral wall of the cochlea is briefly discussed.