Length-tension relationship of mammalian diaphragm muscles.

We tested the hypothesis that the length-tension relationship of diaphragm muscle is different from that of other skeletal muscle. Isometric contractile properties of small bundles of diaphragm muscle from rats, cats, rhesus monkeys, dogs, and pigs were measured in vitro at 37 degrees C. For diaphragm muscles from all species, twitch contraction and relaxation times and histochemical myofibrillar ATPase indicated a mixture of fast and slow muscle fiber types. By use of tetanic stimulations of 400-ms duration, isometric tension was recorded from bundles of diaphragm muscle at lengths between 50 and 130% of the muscle fiber length at which active tension was maximal (Lo). At lengths below 60-70% of Lo, tetanic tension did not reach a plateau within 400 ms. With longer stimulation durations, active tension could be recorded between 30 and 40% of Lo. The length-tension curves for bundles of fibers from the diaphragm muscle were not different among species and were consistent with results reported for intact limb muscles.