Incorporation of radioactive calcium into otolithic membranes of the guinea pig after aminoglycoside treatment.

The influence of neomycin and streptomycin on the calcium metabolism of the otolithic membranes was investigated in the guinea pig. After chronic treatment with either drug, animals were injected intraperitoneally with radioactive calcium. Retention of calcium in the serum was unaffected by drug treatment, as was the incorporation of radioactivity into bone (femur and otic capsule). Both drugs inhibited the calcium uptake into saccular and utricular otolithic membranes by 30 to 40%.