SEM observation of post-natal mice cochleas cultivated in vitro

Objective: To observe cochleas of post-natal mice cultivated in vitro and establish a tissue model for acute experiment.Methods: The free-floating method was used to cultivate the cochleas of 1 to 3 days post-natal mice in vitro. The structure and morphology of outer hair cells were investigated with scanning electron microscope （SEM）. Results: The structure and morphology of outer hair cells remained unchanged during 20 hours.Conclusion: The free floating method was optimal for the short-term research of outer hair cells in vitro and the SEM was proved to be an effective, convenient investigating method.