The cochlear hair cells degenerated completely inc-KITc.2430T>A/+ pigs
The morphology of hair cells in the apical, middle and basal turns was
examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Fig. 5). Three rows of
outer hair cells (OHCs) and one row of inner hair cells (IHCs) were
regularly arranged along the cochleae in wild-type pigs (Fig. 5, upper
pannel).
The
stereociliary
bundles of OHCs were in the form of a āVā shape in the middle and
basal turns, whereas the stereociliary bundles had a bundle arrangement
in the apical turns. The typical morphology of a
complete
OHC is shown in Fig.5. Compared with the wild-type pigs, the OHCs and
IHCs of the c-KITc.2430T>A/+ pigs
appeared to be completely degenerated, and stereociliary bundles were
not observed in the cuticular plates (Fig.5, lower pannel). In addition,
the number of OHCs and supporting cells was severely reduced, leaving
empty structures as shown in Fig.5.