Comparative actions of salicylate on the amphibian lateral line and guinea pig cochlea.

1. Salicylate actions on afferent nerve activity in the Xenopus lateral line and on cochlear potentials in guinea pig were investigated. 2. In the lateral line, salicylate (0.3-2.5 mM) suppressed spontaneous activity, water motion evoked excitation and responses to L-glutamate (1-2 mM) and kainate (10-20 microM). 3. In the guinea pig, salicylate (0.6-10 mM) suppressed the compound action potential (CAP) and increased N1 latency at low but not high sound intensities. 4. In the lateral line salicylate action may involve an antagonism of the hair-cell transmitter on the afferent nerve. 5. In the cochlea salicylate may suppress the active process or cochlear amplifier.