Ototoxicity of kanamycin in developing guinea pigs. An electrophysiological study.

Pregnant guinea pigs were treated with Kanamycin at three different stages of gestation (dating by method of post-partum ovulation). Twenty-nine newborn guinea pigs were tested electrophysiologically by recording the cochlear microphonic potential and the compound action potential from the round window in response to clicks and filtered clicks at 8,000 Hz. Six of the test animals showed the same electrophysiological changes as those found in adult mammals after Kanamycin intoxication. The results suggest a relationship between the ototoxicity of Kanamycin and the onset of auditory function. Cochlear potential and compound action potential were mostly affected when intoxication was performed during the last 15 days of gestation. This study confirms the results previously published by Uziel 1979.