THE HYDROGEN-ION CONCENTRATION OF MAMMALIAN VOLUNTARY MUSCLE UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS

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Abstract
The capillary glass electrode method is applied to the determination of pH of muscle in situ in living animals. The av. value for rat muscle is pH 7.55 (probable error [plus or minus]0.008). This normal pH decreases moderately as a result of severe respiratory depression, extensive hemorrhage, or intraperitoneal injections of large doses of glucose or fructose. Death caused by asphyxia, cyanide, CO or curare is followed by a gradual decrease in pH. Rigor mortis appears when the pH has decreased to ca. 6.85-6.68, at which time the lactic acid content of the muscle has increased ca. 6-fold above normal. There is a rough correlation between pH and lactic acid content in the intact muscle after death. Death following intravenous injection of 15 mgm. per 100 gm. body weight of monoiodoacetate is followed by a gradual rise in pH to as high as 7.96 and appearance of contracture.

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