DNA content and enzymic activities in the auditory regions of seizure-susceptible and non-susceptible strains of mice.

The developmental profiles of four glycosidase enzymes (beta-D-glucosidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-D-galactosidase) in the cochleas, cochlear nuclei and inferior colliculi of four strains of mice were investigated. The strains used were an audiogenically seizure-susceptible strain (DBA/2) and three non-susceptible strains (BALB/c, C3H/He and Swiss/A2G). The enzymic activities fell to varying degrees from 7 to 28 days of age. Two significant observations were made--beta-D-glucuronidase was low in the regions of the C3H/He strain, and beta-D-galactosidase was particularly low in the regions of the DBA/2 strain. The very low activity of beta-D-galactosidase in the DBA/2 mice is discussed in relation to the ganglioside patterns known to be present in these seizure-susceptible mice. Studies on the DNA contents of these auditory regions in the four strains showed no correlation with seizure sensitivity.