Increase in response and number of alpha-adrenoceptors of rat vas deferens on brief pretreatment with an alpha-agonist.

The contractile response of rat vas deferens to epinephrine (E) was enhanced by preincubation with E. After pretreatment with E, there was no significant change in the ED50 of E but there was a significant increase in the maximum response (39%). There was no change in the cholinergic response after the pretreatment. alpha-Adrenoceptors in control and E-treated tissues were assessed by measuring [3H]WB-4101 binding. Treatment with E resulted in a 27% increase in the number of alpha-adrenoceptors, but no change in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors measured with [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. These results are discussed in relation to the response of alpha-adrenoceptors to the agonist.