Synaptophysin and insulin-like growth factor-1 immunostaining in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in adult ferrets following unilateral cochlear removal: a densitometric analysis.

In the present study, unilateral cochlear ablations were performed in adult ferrets to evaluate possible time-dependent modifications of synaptophysin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CNIC). Using densitometric analysis, synaptophysin and IGF-1 immunostaining were assessed at 1 (PA1) and 90 (PA90) days after cochlear ablation. The results demonstrated that 1 day after the lesion there was an increase in the levels of synaptophysin immunostaining bilaterally in the CNIC compared to control animals. That increase was no longer present at 90 days after the ablation. Overall levels of IGF-1 immunostaining at PA1 were increased significantly within neurons and neuropil. However, at PA90, only IGF-1 immunostaining contralateral to the lesion was elevated compared to control animals, although elevation was less than that observed at PA1. These results suggest that cochlear ablation appears to affect synaptophysin and IGF-1 protein levels bilaterally in the CNIC.