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January 1, 1977The Journal of PhysiologyOpen Access

The optical properties of birefringence signals from single muscle fibres.

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Population

Single muscle fibres

Design

Preclinical

Authors

SBStephen M. BaylorUniversity of PennsylvaniaHOH. OetlikerKantonsspital St. Gallen

Discussion

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Implication

Supports volume-related mechanism for early muscle birefringence signals; leaves open translation to cardiac physiology.

Key Points

  • To determine the optical mechanisms, spatial distribution, and magnitude of resting retardation and early birefringence signals during single muscle fibre twitch contractions.
  • Measured optical retardation and intensity variations in single muscle fibres under crossed polarizers across light wavelengths from 480 nm to 690 nm and varied angles of incidence.
  • Assessed spatial origins of the signal across the fibre diameter using a movable light slit and whole-fibre illumination in normal and heavy water (D2O) Ringer solutions.
  • Resting birefringence was 2.25 × 10⁻³ independent of wavelength (480–660 nm), with intensity changes matching the angular and phase-shift functions expected of an optical retardation change.
  • Spatial measurements confirmed the signal originates from a volume-related rather than surface-related structure, exhibiting an average peak retardation change of 1.7 × 10⁻³ in normal Ringer and 0.7 × 10⁻³ in D2O Ringer.

Structured PICO

P
Population
Single muscle fibres
I
Intervention
Optical measurements (varying angle of incidence, phase shift, and wavelength) during a twitch and at rest
O
Outcome
Optical retardation and birefringence signalssurrogate

The early birefringence signal during a muscle twitch is likely due to a volume-related change in retardation.

Cite This Study

Baylor et al. (1977) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7e8eaae9bb045a73c2f9d1https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1977.sp011662
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Birefringence signals from surface and t‐system membranes of frog single muscle fibres.1977 · 32 citations
  2. 2A large birefringence signal preceding contraction in single twitch fibres of the frog.1977 · 70 citations
  3. 3Inward spread of activation in vertebrate muscle fibres1971 · 137 citations
  4. 4Changes in axon birefringence during the action potential1970 · 112 citations
  5. 5THE SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND TRANSVERSE TUBULES OF THE FROG'S SARTORIUS1965 · 687 citations