Release of dopamine from bovine lung by specific antigen and by compound 48-80

1. Dopamine was shown to be released from the isolated lung of calves sensitized with horse serum by compound 48/80 and by specific antigen.2. Dopamine contracts the bovine pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein. Phentolamine, the alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, inhibits this activity of dopamine and also strongly reduces the Schultz-Dale response of the pulmonary vessels.3. The results are consistent with the suggestion that dopamine (together with histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) may participate in the pulmonary vasoconstriction associated with anaphylaxis in cattle.