Postsynaptic D1 and D2 dopamine receptors are present in rabbit renal and mesenteric arteries.

Measuring adenylate cyclase activity as a biochemical index of dopamine (DA) receptors, it was found that the selective D1 DA receptor agonist, SKF 82526, was able to stimulate the cAMP formation in rabbit renal and mesenteric arteries, an effect blocked by haloperidol and by SCH 23390. The D2 DA receptor agonist, bromocriptine, elicited a concentration-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in both arteries of either normal or 6-hydroxydopamine pretreated rabbits, this effect being prevented by (-)-sulpiride but not by (+)-sulpiride. These data indicate that both D1 and D2 postsynaptic DA receptors, associated with stimulation or inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, are present on the wall of rabbit renal and mesenteric arteries.