Pharmacological receptors of the cerebral arteries of the goat.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), histamine (H) and potassium (K+) chloride induce dose-dependent changes in tension of the isolated middle crerbral artery of the goat. Vasopressin produces highly variable responses followed by tachyphylaxis; angiotensin II is ineffective over a wide dose range. The order of potencies of these vasoactive agents is 5-HT greater than NE greater than H greater than K+. With regard to their ability to induce maximal contractile responses, the order is: H greater than 5-HT, K+ greater than NE. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) antagonizes the actions of 5-HT in a manner which progresses from surmountability to unsurmountability of the blockade depending on the concentration of LSD. The blockade exerted by LSD is reversed by washing. Phentolamine and diphenhydramine competitively antagonize the actions of NE and H, respectively. The potency of phentolamine and diphenhydramine in the cerebral arteries of the goat is similar to that determined in different tissues obtained from a variety of animal species. It is concluded that the cerebral arteries of the goat possess receptors for biogenic amines, the most effective of which is 5-HT; receptors for vasoactive peptides are ill defined.?25