Calcium- and length-dependent force production in rat ventricular muscle.

1. Trabeculae from the right ventricles of rat hearts were ;skinned' by immersion for 30 min in a solution containing the non-ionic detergent Brij-58 at a concentration of 1%.2. The average sarcomere length in the central region of the relaxed preparation was estimated by laser diffraction and set at pre-determined values within the range of 1.9-2.4 mum by adjustment of muscle length. Isometric contractions were then induced by raising the Ca(2+) concentration under carefully controlled chemical conditions.3. The dependence of Ca(2+)-activated force production on sarcomere length over the ascending limb of the length-force relation was examined at Ca(2+) concentrations giving partial and full activation of the contractile system of the muscle.4. The dependence of Ca(2+)-activated force on Ca(2+) concentration was compared at sarcomere lengths on the ascending limb and plateau of the length-force relation.5. The results obtained from both kinds of experiment showed that the sensitivity of the contractile system to Ca(2+) increases with sarcomere length over the ascending limb of the length-force relation.6. Possible explanations for this observation have been discussed.