Contractile responses in rat extensor digitorum longus muscles at different times of postnatal development

Some contractile properties of small bundles (100-200 microns diameter) of muscle fibres isolated from the extensor digitorum longus muscle of rats at different times of development were compared. An increase of resting potential was observed in these muscles from -26.9 mV at 1 day of age to -72.6 mV at 3 months. Twitch tension and duration of postnatal muscles 1-7 days were diminished by reducing [Ca]o (substituted by Mg2+) or adding inorganic cations (Ni2+, Cd2+, La3+), unlike in the oldest animals (14 days-3 months postnatal) where twitch responses were unaffected. In the latter, potentiation of the twitch tension was even recorded in the presence of Ni2+ (0.5-1 mmol.1-1) and Cd2+ (0.5-2 mmol.1-1). Properties of activation and inactivation of the developed tension following elevation of [K]o to 15-200 mmol.1-1 were analysed at the same stages of postnatal development. In contrast to the tension-membrane potential curves for activation, which presented an average negative shift of -17.6 mV between 1 day postnatal and 3 months of age, a voltage dependence of inactivation similar to that encountered in adult extensor digitorum longus muscles, was already reached at 7 days of age. These results suggest an asynchronism in the maturation of the potential-dependent characteristics of the depolarization-contraction coupling mechanism. Furthermore, during the first week postnatal, in relation with poorly developed membrane systems and low [Ca]i-recycling capability, [Ca]o plays a fundamental role in maintaining contraction by replenishing the intracellular calcium pool.