Effects of 5-hydroxytrypamine (5-HT) on cylindrical segments of human chorionic arteries and veins were investigated. Concentrations of 5-HT (up to 3 x 10(-6) M) produced concentration-dependent contractions; higher concentrations induced a reduction of the maximal response. These responses were antagonized by methysergide and ketanserin in a non-competitive manner. The contractions elicited by low 5-HT concentrations were more affected by methysergide (10(-7) M) than by ketanserin (10(-7) M). Ketanserin apparently increased the responses to high 5-HT concentrations in veins. Arteries appeared to be more sensitive to both drugs than veins. Single concentrations of 5-HT elicited transient contractions in both kinds of vessel. 2. Marked tachyphylaxis was seen in segments exposed to high concentrations of 5-HT or in which a concentration-response curve was determined. 3. Contractions induced by 5-HT were reduced in a Ca2+-free medium. Veins were more affected by the Ca2+ antagonists, nifedipine (10(-7) M), nicardipine (10(-5) M) and diltiazem (10(-5) M) than arteries. 4. 5-HT (10(-6) M) enhanced 45Ca2+ uptake in those vessels in which a concentration-response curve had not been previously determined. In veins, this increase was reduced by the three Ca2+ antagonists. 5. The results indicate that 5-HT responses in these vessels were greatly dependent on extracellular Ca2+. A type of 5-HT1-receptor may mediate responses to low 5-HT concentrations, while higher concentrations may activate 5-HT2-receptors. 5-HT may desensitize the latter by interconversion between a high affinity and low affinity state, as suggested by others, a change prevented in part by ketanserin.
