Histochemical study of the effects of noise on the cell surface and extracellular matrix glycoconjugates of the developing mouse cochlea

To determine whether noise could change the glycoconjugate pattern of developing cochlea 42 pregnant mice (2–4 m) were exposed to 100 dB continual sound for 2.5 h daily. After parturition, the cochlea of the offspring in the first, seventh and fourteenth day after birth were removed, prepared histologically and stained with lectins, WGA (wheat germ agglutinin), PNA (peanut agglutinin), GSA (Griffonia simplicifolia) and DBA (Dolichos biflorus agglutinin). Exposure to noise led to decrease in the uptake of the PNA by spiral limbus and ligament in the seventh and fourteenth postnatal days. It is concluded that alternation in glycosilation of glycoconjugates in the noise exposed cochlea could be responsible for the structural and functional changes such as fetal noise induced hearing loss.