Culture of Middle-ear Epithelium of the Guinea Pig in Serum-Free Medium

Abstract

Culture of explants of middle-ear epithelium in serum-free medium was successful. Cultured middle-ear epithelium was observed by phase-contrast microscopy (PCM), light microscopy (LM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In these outgrowths, the majority of cultured cells were flat polygonal, but ciliated epithelium was also seen. The best proliferation was found on 16 days after K-GM medium was changed. This culture system should be a study of the differentiation of middle-ear epithelium in vitro.