Abstract
A specific staining of the chochlear hair cell stereocilia was investigated according to Santi's method. The inner and three rows of the outer hair cell stereocilias were well stained by alcian blue and were easily visualized against back ground. The basis of this phenomenon is an affinity between cations of dye and polyanions of sulfated compounds in the stereocilia.
We also examined other cationic dyes such as neutral red and toluidine blue, but those stainabilities for the cochlear tissue were not so good and no staining specificity was recognized. Further investigations about their optimum pH, concentration, and temperature on staining are necessary.
This cochlear hair cell staining will contribute to functional analysis rather than morphological analysis of the stereocilia.
