Action of D-alpha aminoadipic acid on the sensory organs of the inner ear in the frog

Following the suggestions in the literature that glutamate or aspartate may be the transmitter at the primary afferent synapses of acoustico-lateralis organs, we have employed the "selective" excitatory amino acid antagonist. D-alpha amino adipate (DAA) as a tool with which to shed further light on this problem in the labyrinthine organs of the frog. DAA produces a dose-responsive, reversible depression of spontaneous activity in the afferent nerves of the posterior semicircular canal, saccule and basilar papilla. These structures are examples of ampullar, otolithic and auditory organs, respectively. The drug effect seems qualitatively the same throughout the labyrinth. The most interesting finding was that of a presynaptic (hair cell) effect of DAA on the semicircular canal. The means of recording did not permit detection of a presynaptic effect in the other organs examined. All the observed effects of DAA could be explained by a presynaptic action to inhibit transmitter release. Therefore, the ability of DAA to reduce transmission at primary afferent synapses of the frog labyrinth must not necessarily be interpreted to imply that the transmitter is an excitatory amino acid. A presynaptic action to reduce the release of a transmitter (of unknown structure) could explain all our results.