Involvement of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the vasoconstriction caused by ergometrine

In pithed normotensive rats, the pressor effects evoked by i.v. serotonin (5-HT) and ergometrine were analysed using the relatively selective alpha 1-, alpha 2- and serotonin antagonists prazosin, yohimbine methysergide, respectively. The pressor response to ergometrine was reduced by both prazosin and yohimbine but only moderately affected by methysergide. On the other hand, the rise in diastolic pressure brought about by serotonin was strongly depressed by methysergide but not influenced by the blockade of either alpha 1- or alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The calcium antagonist nifedipine shifted the dose-pressor response curve of ergometrine to the right in a dose-related, non-parallel manner. The maximum pressor response was diminished by nifedipine. In contrast, the rise in pressure provoked by serotonin was not affected by nifedipine. The results thus show that in the pithed rat the vasoconstrictor response to ergometrine is mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors (both alpha 1 and alpha 2) rather than by serotonin receptors. These findings question the role of serotonin receptors in the vasoconstriction induced by ergometrine.