Electrophysiological parameters of the auditory system and cochlear analysis by scanning electron microscopy of Agouti paca: a proposal for an experimental

• Grant number: 10/03158-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: February 29, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Miguel Angelo Hyppolito
• Grantee: Ijanete de Almeida Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Increasingly, the search for appropriate experimental models for conducting research in hearing and otologic surgery. These areas are carried out experiments in mice, rats and chinchillas, although the size of these animals difficult access to the structures of the ears, and foreign media as well as certain procedures mastoid and cochlea. These conditions encourage the pursuit of other animals that exhibit characteristics suitable for this purpose. Considering that the paca (Agouti paca), the second largest rodent in the Brazilian fauna, features which are peculiar to their species that can contribute to make it a new form of animal experimentation, we have to study the morphology, ultrastructure and function of hearing ear of this animal, with a view to its application as an experimental model for otological research.