[Anaphylactic contraction is a property of many but not all skeletal muscles]

The authors studied the ability for anaphylactic contraction in vitro of musculus plantaris, diaphragmatic muscle and musculus soleus of guinea pig. The muscles of double sensitized pigs were denervated and 4 weeks after the nerve cut the muscles' specimens were studied for anaphylactic contraction. The addition of the resolving dose of the specific antigen to incubation medium resulted in anaphylactic contraction of the diaphragmatic muscle and musculus soleus. Musculus plantaris did not respond. Mechanisms of anaphylactic contraction of the skeletal muscle are discussed.