The pharmacology of the rat ureter in vivo

1. A method of recording the peristaltic frequency and the rate of transport of fluid (perfusion rate) in the rat ureter in vivo is described.2. Acetylcholine and atropine did not alter ureteral activity. Histamine increased the rate of peristalsis by up to 15% and the rate of perfusion by up to 10%. Low doses of 5-hydroxytryptamine increased peristaltic frequency whereas high doses decreased peristaltic frequency; all doses reduced the rate of perfusion.3. Morphine reduced the rate of perfusion by 5-10% at all dose levels, but only the highest dose used reduced the frequency of ureteral peristalsis.4. (-)-Adrenaline, (-)-noradrenaline and (+/-)-isoprenaline reduced the frequency of peristalsis. The order of potency was isoprenaline>noradrenaline>adrenaline. The response was dose-related and blocked by propranolol, which itself did not affect ureteral activity.