Influence of setting-up time, temperature of incubation and age on the transmural potential difference across chicken...

The effects of different experimental conditions on the in vitro transmural potential difference (PD) have been studied in the chicken rectum by the Ussing and Zerahn technique. Results have been analyzed with a statistical method to reveal the contribution of different controlled variables to the response, as well as the possible contribution of interactions between them. The variables considered were: age, setting-up time, temperature of the incubation medium and time elapsed from the beginning of incubation. It can be concluded that a) PD increases when temperature rises from 31 degrees C to 37 degrees C and when age increases from 71 to 123 days; b) Changes in PD during incubation depend on the temperature of incubation medium; c) The influence of age on PD depends on the temperature of the incubation medium and on the time required to set-up the preparation; d) PD is inversely co-related with setting-up times ranging from 3.5 to 7.5 min.