Figure 4.
Sema5b−/− mice show a modest number of extra OHCs in otherwise normally developing cochleae. A–F, P0 cochleae from WT (A–C) and Sema5b−/− (D–F) mice stained with anti-MyoVI to label hair cells, anti-Sox2 to label supporting cells, and anti-NF200 to label SGNs. Extra OHCs, identified by brackets, are observed in both WT (A) and Sema5b−/− (D) cochleae. Extra OHCs are innervated by type II SGNs (C, F). G, Sema5b−/− cochleae show increased numbers of extra OHCs in the apical and middle turns compared with WT controls (Student's t test; mean ± SEM; *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01; n = 14 cochleae WT; 16 cochleae Sema5B−/−). H–M, SGN and olivocochlear efferent (labeled by Gap43) distributions are overall similar in both WT and Sema5b−/− cochleae. LOC, lateral olivocochlear efferent neuron; MOC, medial olivocochlear efferent neuron. Scale bar (in M): A–F, H–M, ∼100 μm. n.s. = not significant.