The response of single carotid chemoreceptor afferent fibers upon adenosine acting on the carotid body (CB) was examined in 39 urethan-anesthetized rabbits. Totally 73 units with spontaneous discharge were recorded in our experiment. The results were as follows: (1) Of 55 units, 51 showed an increase in discharge frequency from 0.76 +/- 0.10 to 1.53 +/- 0.23 imp/s. A few new units were recruited concomitantly in response to intracarotid injection of adenosine (10 micrograms/kg). (2) Adding adenosine in the doses of 0.5, 1.5, 10, 50 and 100 micrograms/kg to the perfusate passing through the isolated carotid sinus led to dose-dependent increase in the discharge from 0.51 +/- 0.06 to 0.58 +/- 0.07, 0.78 +/- 0.13, 0.96 +/- 0.15, 1.11 +/- 0.17, 1.34 +/- 0.21 and 1.38 +/- 0.18 imp/s, respectively (P less than 0.001, n = 9 units). (3) In other 9 units with spontaneous discharge rate of 1.30 +/- 0.40 imp/s, the activity was decreased to 0.56 +/- 0.19 imp/s (P less than 0.01) by intracarotid injection of dopamine (50 micrograms/kg). Intracarotid injection of adenosine to the CB pretreated with dopamine still activated the units with an increase in firing rate to 1.07 +/- 0.28 imp/s (P less than 0.01). However, the increment was less prominent as compared with that of adenosine administration before dopamine injection (P less than 0.001). From the results obtained, it is hypothesized that the exciting effect of adenosine on the CB chemoreceptor may be attributed to its action on the presynaptic component of the chemoreceptor complex in attenuating the release of inhibitory transmitter dopamine, and its direct stimulating action on the chemosensory nerve endings.