We investigated the possible occurrence of the desensitization of pulmonary beta-receptors in a model of experimental asthma such as the ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pig. Although some differences were observed between normal and asthmatic guinea-pigs, the desensitization procedure (isoproterenol (ISO) 10(-6) M x 20 min x 2) markedly impaired the relaxing capacity of ISO, epinephrine (EPI) and procaterol. With the beta 2 agonist procaterol, the sensitized tissues seemed to be more sensitive compared to normal. In parallel, the desensitization procedure produced a greater decrease in the relaxing capacity of procaterol in the sensitized tracheas. On the other hand, the two unselective beta-agonists (ISO and EPI) did not seem to discriminate between the two experimental conditions used. These data suggest that the immunological disturbance due to the active sensitization may induce a modification in beta-adrenoceptor reactivity. The results obtained with EPI after anaphylactic challenge are in agreement with this. In fact, the relaxing capacity of EPI was markedly reduced by antigen challenge.