In the present study, the reflex effects of low-dose (12.5-50 ng X kg-1 X min-1) intracoronary epinephrine infusion on the arterial baroreflex control of heart rate were studied. Mean arterial blood pressure-heart rate curves were constructed by changing mean arterial blood pressure with graded occlusions of the descending aorta and inferior vena cava. Intracoronary epinephrine increased left ventricular dP/dtmax by an average of 309 +/- 67.0 mmHg/s but did not alter resting mean arterial blood pressure or heart rate. Peak sensitivity, the maximum absolute slope along the mean arterial blood pressure-heart rate curve, and heart rate range were 32.7 +/- 3.2 and 26.7 +/- 2.5% less during intracoronary epinephrine compared with control, respectively. Intracoronary epinephrine did not alter the median, threshold, or saturation pressure of the mean arterial blood pressure-heart rate curve. Lidocaine block of the pericoronary nerves, which blocked the ventricular afferent pathway, eliminated the effects of intracoronary epinephrine on the arterial baroreflex. Atropine abolished the effects of intracoronary epinephrine on arterial baroreflex control of heart rate. We conclude that intracoronary epinephrine reflexly attenuates the arterial baroreflex control of heart rate in the conscious dog through activation of ventricular receptors. This response is mediated by cardiac parasympathetic efferents common to both reflex arcs.