8 NERVE IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING

Forty healthy guinea pigs were poisoned with repeated peritoneal injections of lead acetate. After 7 weeks the animals were sacrificed and the inner ear with VIII nerve were examined histologically. The lead level in the blood was estimated in all animals after poisoning and in 10 healthy guinea pigs (control group). The sensory cells of the inner ear, the spiral and vestibular ganglion cells appeared to be normal. The VIII nerve in the majority of poisoned animals showed segmental deniyelina-tion and axonal degeneration. Theories on etiology and pathogenesis of the neuropathological changes in lead poisoning are discussed. © 1969 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.