Latency-relaxation in single muscle fibres

1. Latency relaxation and twitch tension were recorded simultaneously in single isolated muscle fibres of Xenopus laevis. 2. During low frequency (0.6 or 1 pulse/sec) repetitive stimulation, three successive phases of twitch tension were observed: negative staricase (a slight drop in tension), positive staircase (about 15% increase in tension) and fatigue. At the same time the amplitude of latency relaxation decreased monotonically, and near the peak of positive staircase, the amplitude decreased almost to an undetectable level. 3. The application of caffeine (0.1--1.5 mM) increased peak twitch tension by 15--200%, but decreased the latency relaxation amplitude by 30--93%. 4. The application of Ca-release inhibitors, deuterium oxide and dantrolene sodium, caused a 43--89% decline in peak twitch tension but no change in latency relaxation amplitude. 5. The lack of correlation between changes in peak twitch tension and latency relaxation amplitude suggests that latency relaxation is associated with the mechanism which triggers Ca2+ relase rather than with Ca2+ release itself.