Biomaterial Database

Demonstration of the fine structure of stereocilia in the organ of Corti of the guinea pig by field emission scanning electron microscopy. 1996

W L Jongebloed, and E A Dunnebier, and F W Albers, and D Kalicharan

Laboratory for Cell Biology and Electron Microscopy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. w.l.jongebloed@med.rug.nl

A combined perfusion- and immersion prefixation with glutaraldehyde followed by a tannic acid/arginine/osmium tetroxide (TAO) treatment of the guinea pig cochlea is described for field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) observation of the fine structure of the stereocilia of the organ of Corti. Conventional osmium tetroxide postfixation methods in combination with a thin conductive coating failed to show the fine structure of the glycocalyx of the epithelial lining in the endolymphatic compartment of the cochlea, in particular, on the stereocilia surface. The antennulae-like glycocalyx covering of the stereocilia surface of the more pronounced rows of outer hair cells has been demonstrated only in ultrathin sections by means of cationic markers. The side- and tip-links connecting the stereocilia have been demonstrated both in scanning and transmission electron microscopy, although at that time these structures often were considered as artificial. However, they can be visualized with FEG-SEM at low accelerating voltage (2-3 kV), and at appropriate working distance and probe current, in combination with a glutaraldehyde perfusion/immersion prefixation and TAO postfixation. Stereo images enhance considerably the three-dimensional appreciation of the stereocilia with glycocalyx lining and side- and tip-links, proving that these connections are a structural part of the hair cell.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D009925	Organ of Corti	The spiral EPITHELIUM containing sensory AUDITORY HAIR CELLS and supporting cells in the cochlea. Organ of Corti, situated on the BASILAR MEMBRANE and overlaid by a gelatinous TECTORIAL MEMBRANE, converts sound-induced mechanical waves to neural impulses to the brain.	Basilar Papilla,Corti's Organ,Spiral Organ,Corti Organ,Cortis Organ,Organ, Corti's,Organ, Spiral,Organs, Spiral,Papilla, Basilar,Spiral Organs
D005260	Female		Females
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D016707	Tissue Fixation	The technique of using FIXATIVES in the preparation of cytologic, histologic, or pathologic specimens for the purpose of maintaining the existing form and structure of all the constituent elements.	Fixation, Tissue
D019276	Glycocalyx	The carbohydrate-rich zone on the cell surface. This zone can be visualized by a variety of stains as well as by its affinity for lectins. Although most of the carbohydrate is attached to intrinsic plasma membrane molecules, the glycocalyx usually also contains both glycoproteins and proteoglycans that have been secreted into the extracellular space and then adsorbed onto the cell surface. (Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3d ed, p502)	Cell Coat,Glycocalix,Cell Coats,Coat, Cell,Coats, Cell