The specific effect of docosahexaenoic (DHA; C22:6 n-3), as compared to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5 n-3), on adrenoceptor function was investigated in cultured rat myocardial cells. The cardiomyocytes were grown for 24 h in a conventional seric medium, and then incubated for 96 h in a medium enriched with either DHA or EPA. After this treatment, the phospholipids of the DHA-treated cells contained approximately 20% of the total fatty acids as C22:6 n-3, and those of EPA-treated cells displayed a high content in C20:5 n-3 and its elongation product C22:5 n-3 (30% of total fatty acids). Additionally, the n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio was the same in the two groups of cells. These modifications were roughly similar in all the phospholipid classes. The contractions were monitored photometrically and no significant difference in basal frequency and contraction parameters could be detected. The stimulation of the beta-adrenergic receptors (isoproterenol 10(-7) M) resulted in a positive chronotropic effect, which was significantly higher in the DHA-rich cells. Conversely, the higher DHA content in the phospholipids appeared to induce a decrease in the affinity of the beta-receptors for the ligand (dihydroalprenolol) without alteration of the number of beta-receptor binding sites and provoked a significant decrease in isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP production (-19%). To investigate further these controversial data, the cardiomyocytes were treated with dibutyryl-cAMP, which elicited a positive chronotropic response significantly higher in the DHA-rich cells. The alpha-adrenergic stimulation by phenylephrine (3 x 10(-6) M) increased the spontaneous rate, but in a similar manner in the DHA- and EPA-enriched cells. Similarly, neither the alpha-adrenergic receptor binding characteristics nor the production of phosphoinositides was modulated by the membrane DNA content, although the phosphatidylinositol PUFAs were significantly altered. In conclusion, increasing the DHA content in membrane phospholipids did not affect the alpha-adrenergic system, but exerted a specific positive influence on the beta-adrenergic transduction mechanism, essentially through an increase of cAMP efficiency.