[Electrophysiological study of the ototoxicity of kanamycin via transplacental transmission in the guinea pig (author's transl)].

Pregnant guinea pigs were treated with Kanamycin at three different times during gestation (dating by the post-partum ovulation method) : 11th-20th day, 31st-40th day, 53rd-62nd day of gestation. 29 newborn guinea pigs were studied electrophysiologically by the recording of cochlear microphonics and the action potential obtained at the fenestra cochlear in response to clicks and filtered clicks 8000. Certain animals were tested with filtered clicks 2000 and 4000. 6 tested animals showed electrophysiological results identical to those usually seen in adult guinea pigs intoxicated with Kanamycin. The results obtained suggest the existence of a relationship between the ototoxicity of Kanamycin and the time of installation of auditory function. Microphonic potentials and auditory nerve action potentials were found to be more affected when intoxication took place during the last 15 days of gestation.