[Animal modeling] - Functional modification of anterior ventral plexus cells of cochlear nucleus precedes the establishment of hearing

  Objective: To study the electrophysiological changes of plexus cells in the anterior ventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) of newborn SD rats during development by whole cell patch clamp technique.

  Methods: The whole cell patch clamp was used to record the action potential (AP) response and micro excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) of plexus cells in the anterior ventral nucleus of the cochlear nucleus of SD newborn rats from 5 to 21 days after birth. The half peak width of the action potential and the 10%~90% rise time (10%~90% Risetime) and time constant of mEPSC were analyzed by relevant data collection and analysis software, and further statistical analysis was made, The electrophysiological characteristics of plexus cells in the anterior ventral nucleus of cochlear nucleus of newborn SD rats at different ages were compared.

  Results: In the statistical analysis of the half peak width of plexus cell action potential, it was found that the time accuracy of plexus cell action potential increased with the increase of postnatal age, and the change stopped near the establishment of hearing (12 days after birth). The time accuracy of mEPSC in plexus cells also increased with the increase of postnatal age, and the changes stopped near the establishment of hearing.

  Conclusion: The function modification of plexus cells in the anterior ventral nucleus of cochlear nucleus precedes the establishment of hearing.