Electrical currents associated with rhythmic contractions of the blastoderm of the medaka, Oryzias latipes.
1. We used a vibrating probe to measure extracellular electrical currents near the surface of dechorionated Oryzias latipes eggs as contraction waves moved slowly across the blastoderm. 2. Although we found no detectable current outside dechorionated embryos, we recorded large current pulses near the edge of wounds made in the surface of the blastoderm. 3. The maximum net inward current--or in some cases, the least net outward current--correlated temporally with the contraction of cells near the edge of the wound. 4. The current pulses were superimposed on steady currents of variable magnitude and polarity. 5. We discuss possible mechanisms for the initiation and propagation of the contraction wave.
D000818:Animals; D001756:Blastoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D003532:Cyprinodontiformes / Q000196:embryology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D009990:Oryzias / Q000196:embryology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries