The effects of low-dose endothelin on systemic haemodynamics and vasoactive hormones were examined in conscious dogs. In addition, we examined the effects of endothelin on pressor responses to noradrenaline and angiotensin II and the baroreflex regulation of heart rate in conscious dogs. Continuous infusion of 40 fmol/kg per min endothelin for 40 min induced a mild but significant reduction in mean arterial pressure from 89.1 +/- 1.7 to 82.7 +/- 2.0 mmHg (P less than 0.05), associated with decreases in total peripheral resistance 20 min later. A 400 fmol/kg per min dose of endothelin, on the other hand, induced a gradual elevation of mean arterial pressure from 89.2 +/- 2.3 to 96.8 +/- 2.0 mmHg (P less than 0.05), associated with increases in total peripheral resistance over 30 min. The 40 fmol/kg per min dose of endothelin infusion induced a significant reduction in plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP; P less than 0.05) and elevations of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; P less than 0.05), plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; P less than 0.05) and plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha; P less than 0.05). The 400 fmol/kg per min dose produced elevations of AVP, ANP, PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (P less than 0.05). Pressor responses to noradrenaline and angiotensin II were significantly attenuated during continuous infusion of 40 fmol/kg per min endothelin, whereas 400 fmol/kg per min endothelin did not induce any significant changes compared with the control. Furthermore, baroreflex sensitivity was attenuated with 40 fmol/kg per min endothelin but did not show any significant changes at 400 fmol/kg per min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)