Neuroglobin expression in the cochlea of rat pups exposed to chronic very mild carbon monoxide (25ppm) in air during and after the prenatal period.

Abstract The distribution of neuroglobin (Ngb) was investigated in the normal rat cochlea using immunohistochemistry and non-radioactive in situ hybridization. We also determined whether chronic, very mild CO exposure at 25 ppm in air over the gestational and postnatal period alters the expression of Ngb. Pregnant rats were exposed chronically to CO from gestational days 5–20. Four groups were made as follows: prenatal exposure to CO only; prenatal exposure to CO followed by postnatal exposure from postnatal days (5) P5 to P20; rat pups were exposed to CO from P5 to P20; controls (air without CO). In normal adult rats and control group pups, Ngb was found in spiral ganglia neurons, fibrocytes of the spiral ligament, and supporting cells of the organ of Corti. Ngb was not present in the stria vascularis and the inner and outer hair cells. At P20 Ngb immunoreactivity and transcript expression decreased in spiral ganglia neurons and the spiral ligament in the prenatal and pre- and postnatal groups. This decrease was not observed in the postnatal group. Ngb-IR did not decrease in supporting cells in any CO group. Cytochrome- C immunoreactivity followed Ngb distribution in normal controls and CO treated groups. A decrease in Ngb in spiral ganglia neurons and rat spiral ligament, but not in supporting cells, following CO exposure supports the idea that chronic, mild exposure to CO may create a vulnerable cellular environment predisposed to adverse cochlear development.