Changes in miniature end-plate potentials due to moderate hypertonicity at the frog neuromuscular junction

The effect of an increase in tonicity on the amplitude and frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (m.e.p.p.s) following superfusion of 50 mM- or 100 mM-sucrose-Ringer solution was determined from intracellular recording at end-plates of the frog cutaneous pectoris muscle, in the absence of drugs and using on-line statistical analysis. An immediate decrease in mean amplitude of the order of 20% control was associated with a marked increase in mean frequency. A delayed increase in mean amplitude, independent of frequency, followed the initial response in the majority of end-plates exposed to 100 mM-sucrose-Ringer solution. The net gain was of the order of 34% and was attained over 20-40 min. This was not reversible over at least 20 min. There was an increase in the variability of m.e.p.p. amplitudes associated with the increase of mean amplitude but this was reversible. A moderate increase in tonicity is considered to induce two kinds of presynaptic changes. First, an immediate increase in the probability of release of smaller quantal packets and secondly, an increased loading of transmitter into vesicles within the readily releasable store.