Effects of feeding condition after birth on the sensitivity of neuromuscular transmission to d-tubocurarine In vitro in mice

Abstract

1. 1. Effects of feeding condition from birth were examined on the sensitivity of neuromuscular transmission to d-tubocurarine (dTc) in vitro in male mice of the ddY strain. 2. 2. Mice were trained to climb two separated cylindrical steel-wire tubes for feeding and drinking, respectively, from 16 days of age. Some mice were conventionally fed, from 99 days of age. Nerve-muscle preparations were made from the left phrenic nerve diaphragm muscle (DPH), the sciatic nerve soleus muscle (SOL), and the sciatic nerve extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) of 99-day-old and 155-day-old mice. The nerve trunk was electrically activated with trains of four pulses and tetanic pulses. 3. 3. The sensitivity to the effects of dTc decreased in the order EDL, SOL, and DPH. This result held true in all mice tested. 4. 4. This sensitivity was significantly potentiated by the compulsory movement. 5. 5. The supersensitivity remained even when mice were conventionally fed after 99 days of age. 6. 6. The compulsion rendered EDL antifatigable on tetanic stimulation. This property was also retained after a return to conventional feeding. 7. 7. These results suggest that the effects of feeding condition from birth might remain on neuromuscular functions after termination of the conditioning.