Rubel E W, Lippe W R, Ryals B M
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1984 Nov-Dec;93(6 Pt 1):609-15. doi: 10.1177/000348948409300614.
Two experiments using embryonic and hatchling chickens examined how the representation of frequency along the basilar membrane changed during hearing development. In experiment 1, chicks were exposed to high intensity pure tones (500, 1,500, or 3,000 Hz) at one of three different ages. Analysis of hair cell degeneration indicated a discrete region of damage which systematically changed as a function of exposure frequency and age. With maturation, each frequency produced damage at progressively more apical locations. In experiment 2, the representation of frequency in the brain stem auditory nuclei was compared in embryonic, hatchling, and adult chickens. Microelectrode recordings indicated a systematic shift in the frequency representation. Neurons, which are activated by high frequencies in the adult, initially respond to only low frequencies. These experiments indicate how the mature pattern of frequency representation along the basilar membrane gradually emerges during the stages of hearing development.
两项利用胚胎期和刚孵化出的雏鸡进行的实验，研究了在听觉发育过程中，基底膜上频率表征是如何变化的。在实验1中，雏鸡在三个不同年龄阶段中的某一个阶段暴露于高强度纯音（500、1500或3000赫兹）之下。对毛细胞退化的分析表明，存在一个离散的损伤区域，该区域会随着暴露频率和年龄的变化而系统性地改变。随着雏鸡的成熟，每个频率在逐渐更靠近顶端的位置产生损伤。在实验2中，对胚胎期、刚孵化出的雏鸡和成年鸡脑干听觉核团中的频率表征进行了比较。微电极记录表明频率表征存在系统性的变化。在成年鸡中被高频激活的神经元，最初仅对低频做出反应。这些实验表明，沿着基底膜的频率表征成熟模式是如何在听觉发育阶段逐渐形成的。
