Delta receptors in the rat vas deferens.

The effects of the delta-selective antagonist ICI 174864 and naltrexone on the dose-response curves to the mu-selective agonist RX 783006 and D-ala-D-leucine enkephalin (DADL) have been investigated in the rat isolated vas deferens preparation (RVD) set up in Krebs solution containing half the normal Ca++ concentration. The results obtained provide very strong evidence for the existence of both mu- and delta-receptors in this preparation. The Ke values of a number of opioid antagonists v. DADL in the RVD have been determined and compared to the Ke values obtained in the mouse vas deferens assay (MVD). The very good correlation (slope = 1.01, r = 0.98) obtained between the Ke values from the 2 preparations confirms the presence of a delta-receptor in the RVD.