In vitro evaluation of isolated turkey cardiac muscle function.

Turkey papillary muscles can function in an isolated chamber containing oxygenated, pH-regulated, modified Krebs-Henseleit solutions. Experiments were conducted for up to 6 hr without dimunition of muscle function. Our data indicate that different calcium concentrations affect muscle contraction and relaxation velocities, load values, and latencies. This controlled in vitro biological assay system can be used in further studies to evaluate species specific cardiac toxins or drugs.