The effects of microsecond electropulses (1-5 kV/cm) on the viability of murine B lymphocytes and on their binding of antibodies by surface immunoglobulin (Ig) were studied in relation to the cell cycle. Before electropulsing, cultures given 48 h mitogenic stimulation showed at least two cell subpopulations, which were distinguishable by their levels of surface-Ig expression as assessed with FITC-labelled antibodies against mouse Ig. The immunofluorescence intensity of cells in S and G2/M phases was higher than that of G0/G1 cells. After exposure of the mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes to three exponentially decaying (time constant tau = 5-40 microseconds) electric field pulses, dye exclusion assay showed that pulsing at 1 or 2 kV/cm (at 4 degrees C or 20 degrees C) did not cause permeabilization. Field strengths of 3, 4, or 5 kV/cm resulted in 20%, 45%, or 70% of dye-permeable cells, respectively, if the pulsed cells were transferred to phosphate-buffered saline on ice for 30 min. Incubation in full medium at 37 degrees C for 30 min ("resealing") significantly decreased the percentage of permeabilized cells. Electropulsed G0/G1 cells were not only more resistant to direct electric exposure (tolerated higher field strengths) than S + G2/M cells but also responded better to resealing. The surface Ig of lymphocytes pulsed at higher fields and low temperature (4 or 5 kV/cm, tau = 5 microseconds, three pulses, 4 degrees C) was less easily immunostained than in controls or in cells pulsed at 2 kV/cm or less. At 5 kV/cm those cells that were not permeabilized showed a greater reduction in immunostaining, especially if resealed.