Studies on the mode of action of vasopressin on the isolated proximal colon of the guinea-pig.

1. Contractions of guinea-pig isolated proximal colon produced by vasopressin are not affected by methyloxytocin (a compound that blocks pressor effects of vasopressin).2. Vasopressin contractions are inhibited by replacement of sodium with mannitol or sucrose, elevation of potassium or magnesium concentrations, the presence of the metabolic inhibitors sodium azide and triethyl tin or tetrodotoxin in the bathing fluid. Contractions produced by histamine or choline esters are comparatively insensitive to these procedures.3. Contractions of rat isolated uterus following vasopressin, oxytocin and methacholine are equally affected by replacement of sodium, increase of potassium or magnesium or addition of sodium azide.4. Neither vasopressin contractions nor contractions caused by transmural stimulation were consistently affected by morphine (10(-6) g/ml.) or hyoscine (10(-7) g/ml.) although both were reduced by anoxia or cooling the tissue. Morphine did not reduce the output of acetylcholine from stimulated colon.5. It is concluded that the action of vasopressin on proximal colon is unlike its action on other smooth muscle and is mediated by nervous tissue.