Lactate Production in Muscle Stimulated Briefly.

Abstract

In dogs anesthetized with amytal we have observed the lactate concentration in gracilis muscles immediately after brief periods of activity induced by short tetanizations repeated rhythmically. The muscles were stimulated in situ through the obturator nerve. The circulation was intact and the arterial pressure satisfactory. As soon as possible after stimulation ceased they were frozen in situ with carbon dioxide snow, excised and ground to powder in liquid air. Lactate determinations were made by the method of Friedmann, Cotonio and Shaffer. 1

For comparison rectus femoris muscles of the same animals were excised in the same manner without previous stimulation and tested for lactates according to the same technique.

Results are as follows:

The increases in lactate resulting from these brief periods of activity are equal to or greater than the increases reported by us after 15 minutes of tetanization under similar conditions. 2