To observe the changes of the content and distribution of cochlear actin in growing rats at different periods of iron deficiency (ID) and to explore the pathogenetic mechanism of ID-induced sensorineuralhear ing loss. Methods: Actin of cochlear membranous tissue was separated and determined with SDS-PAGE and West em blot. The relative content and distribution of cochlear actin in both ID and normal rats in week 8 and 12 were studied by TLC-densitometric determination and immunohistochemical procedures. Results: A marked reduction of relative content and immunohistochemical reaction product of cochlear actin was found in ID rats with sensorineural hearing loss in comparison with normal controls. There was no significant difference of cochlea actin among differ ent groups of ID rats with hearing loss. Conclusion: ID-induced sensorineural hearing loss is probably associated with reduction of actin in the cochlea. It is suggested that the experimental ID period of time have no considerable effect on the relative content and distribution of cochlear actin.