[Electrophysiological properties of the membrane of smooth muscle cells from bovine lymphatic vessels].

Using single sucrose gap technique, studies have been made on electrophysiological properties of the membrane in myocytes of the lymphatic vessels in the ox Bos taurus. It was shown that electrical stimulation does not induce tetanic contraction in the myocytes. The results obtained indicate strong similarity between electrophysiological properties of the myocytes in the lymphatic vessels and those of the myocardial cells in homoiotherms. Refractory state which follows the action potential, accounts for a possibility of rhythmic activity in the myocytes of the lymphatic vessels. Both single and rhythmic stimulation produce in the myocytes the "all-or-none" response. The main factor determining the level of excitability in the myocytes is the intravascular pressure. The latter exerts its influence on contractile activity via changes in the electrical activity (the membrane potential, duration of the plateau phase and the number of fast peak potentials on this plateau).