Lower expression of prestin and MYO7A correlates with menopause-associated hearing loss

AbstractObjective: This study aimed to test the hearing function and to investigate the effect of estrogen on prestin and MYO7A expression in hair cells of the cochlea in ovariectomized rats.Study design: We compared the hearing function systematically in normal female Sprague–Dawley rats and in ovariectomized rats with or without exogenous β-estradiol administration by auditory brainstem response measurements and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. In addition, a correlation analysis between the functional parameters and cochlear histology was carried out.Results: There was a significant auditory threshold shift in the high-frequency range in the ovariectomized rats. Prestin and MYO7A expression was lowered in the cochlea of ovariectomized rats. These effects could be recovered by subcutaneous administration of β-estradiol.Conclusion: Low estrogen levels may lead to reduced expression of prestin and MYO7A in cochlea, leading to a menopause-related hearing loss.