Cell breathing and relative desmin content were investigated in m. soleus fibers of rats after 3 and 7 days of recovery from 14-day suspension according to the Morey - Holton modification of the Ilyin - Novikov procedure. The cell breathing parameters were determined with the help of polarography; desmin content was measured using the western-blot technique. The results evidence that cell breathing intensity subsided during 14 days of gravitational unloading, reached minimum after 3 days of recovery and regained baseline values after 7 days of recovery. Post suspension desmin content did not differ from control values, made a significant drop in 3 days and returned to baseline values in 7 days of recovery. These data suggest an interdependence between cell breathing and desmin content in m. soleus fibers of rats as during gravitation unloading, so in the period of recovery.