The authors studied mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the skinned myocardial fibres of the rat and the rabbit during ischaemia. Saponin action on tissue was used to remove the sarcolemma while leaving the interior of intracellular structures intact. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was measured by polarography using Clark's oxygen electrode in the presence of NAD- and FAD-substrates. The skinned fibre method is rapid and very simple. The fact no more than 5-10 mg of tissue is needed to perform it makes it suitable for the study of metabolic processes in experimental and clinical cardiology, under physiologic conditions as well as during ischaemia.