We determined the endothelin (ET) receptor subtype involved in the facilitation of electrical field stimulation-(EFS) induced contraction using the ETB receptor agonist sarafotoxin S6c (STX S6c) and the ET receptor antagonists TTA-386 and bosentan. 2. ET-3-and ETB-receptor-selective agonist STX S6c enhanced EFS-induced contractions. The increasing effect of ET-3 was partially reduced by the desensitization to STX S6c or the ETA receptor antagonist TTA-386. After simultaneous treatment with TTA and desensitization, ET-3-induced potentiation was completely abolished. The combined ETA/B receptor blocker bosentan (Ro 47-0203) eliminated the ET-3-evoked neuronal effect. Both ETB and ETA receptors are involved in the facilitating effects of ETs on EFS contraction. 3. ET-3 immunoreactivity occurs densely in this tissue and was released from neuronal sites by electrical stimulation. We suggest that endogenous ET-3 has a more predominant role than ET-1.