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A scanning electron microscopic study of cochlear changes in iron-deficient rats.

The effects of iron deficiency on the cochlea were studied in growing rats fed with a basic iron-deficient diet for 80 days. The electrophysiological changes (auditory thresholds raised more than 15 dB) were observed in 47% of the cochleas of iron-deficient rats. When these organs of Corti were examined by scanning electron microscopy, abnormalities of outer or inner hair cells were found, as follows: (1) fusion and torsion of the stereocilia, (2) coalescence of adjacent stereocilia in the same row, (3) loss of sensory hair stiffness, and (4) loss of stereocilia. Within each lesion, the neighbouring supporting cells and their microvilli showed no damage. The findings indicate that cochlear impairment can be induced by iron deficiency. The peroxidative mechanisms responsible for the lesions of stereocilia in iron deficiency are discussed.