Action potential synchrony in embryonic precontractile chick heart: optical monitoring with potentiometric dyes.

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Abstract
Using an optical method for monitoring membrane potential spontaneous action potentials were recorded simultaneously in several different areas of the 7-9 somite embryonic chick hearts. Absorption signals resembling spontaneous action potentials were well synchronized among the different areas in the prebeating embryonic heart during te 7-9 somite stages of development and the synchronization spread over the entire area of the heart. There is electrical coupling among embryonic chick heart cells even in the early stages of cardiogenesis. When an embryonic heart was separated into right and left or anterior and posterior parts, the action potential synchrony between the 2 halves was completely blocked; synchrony and intrinsic rhythmicity in action potential recurrence remained in each part.