Large-conduit coronary arteries respond to vasoactive stimuli differently than smaller coronary arterioles, but the quantitative effects of many vasoactive stimuli at various levels of the microvasculature remain unknown. To determine the site of constriction or dilation to serotonin and vasopressin in the coronary microcirculation, we studied microvascular responses in the left ventricle of anesthetized cats (n = 36). To compensate for motion due to contraction of the heart, the epicardium was visualized with stroboscopic epi-illumination controlled by a computer to flash once per cardiac cycle in mid-diastole, making the vessels appear stationary. Serotonin (16 micrograms/kg/min) or vasopressin (0.5 units/min) was infused into the left atrium while maintaining aortic pressure constant with a snare on the descending aorta or inferior vena cava. Myocardial blood flow was measured with radioactive microspheres. During infusion of serotonin, aortic pressure and heart rate did not change, but myocardial perfusion increased 90 +/- 38% (mean +/- SEM) from a control value of 159 +/- 27 ml/min.100 g. Arteries and arterioles larger than 90 microns constricted in response to serotonin (control 159 +/- 12 microns; percent change -18 +/- 3; range -41 to 10%) while arterioles less than 90 microns dilated to serotonin (control 54 +/- 7 microns; percent change 22 +/- 9; range -10 to 62%). During infusion of vasopressin, aortic pressure and heart rate did not change, and myocardial perfusion decreased 16 +/- 7% (control, 147 +/- 18 ml/min.100 g).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)