Microtubules in the cochlea of the hypothyroid developing rat

• Published in: Hearing research Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 203 - 214
• Main Authors: Gabrion, Jacqueline, Legrand, Christiane, Mercier, Beatrice, Harricane, Marie-Cécile, Uziel, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.1984; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; cochlea; Cochlea - pathology; Cochlea - ultrastructure; development; Endocrinopathies; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Hair Cells, Auditory - pathology; Hair Cells, Auditory - ultrastructure; hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - pathology; Labyrinth Supporting Cells - pathology; Labyrinth Supporting Cells - ultrastructure; Medical sciences; microtubule; Microtubules - pathology; Microtubules - ultrastructure; Non tumoral diseases. Target tissue resistance. Benign neoplasms; Propylthiouracil - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; supporting cells; synaptogenesis; Thyroid. Thyroid axis (diseases); microtubule; cochlea; development; hypothyroidism; supporting cells; synaptogenesis; Endocrinopathy; Rat; Rodentia; Thyroid diseases; Hypothyroidism; Postnatal development; Young animal; Inner ear; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Cochlea; Cytoskeleton; Microtubule
• ISSN: 0378-5955; 1878-5891
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-5955(84)90074-1

In order to study the effects of hypothyroidism on the development of microtubules in the cochlea, rat pups were rendered hypothyroid by daily administration of propylthiouracil. Microtubules were studied by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. The absence of immunostaining of pillar cells with antimicrotubule or antitubulin antibodies was correlated with a retarded morphological development of microtubules within these same structures. The above alterations induced an abnormal development of pillar cells, non-appearance of the tunnel of Corti, and stunted epithelial growth. In contrast, a distinct immunoreaction was observed under the outer hair cells. This was attributed to abnormal persistence of afferent dendrites containing microtubules. The results suggest that, while the effect of thyroid hormone on microtubules inafferent cochlear dendrites could not be demonstrated, thyroid hormone is necessary for the normal development of microtubules in epithelial structures.