1. The amplitudes of end-plate currents (EPCs) evoked by stimulating the nerve with frequencies ranging from 1 to 5 Hz and the amplitudes of miniature end-plate currents (MEPCs) gradually diminish if choline uptake is blocked by hemicholinium-3 (HC-3, 20 microM). This reduction of EPC amplitudes is predominantly of presynaptic origin, although an observed decrease in MEPC amplitudes suggests that some postsynaptic changes [due to direct action of HC-3 on acetylcholine (ACh) receptors or on open ACh channels] also occurs. 2. Shortening of both EPCs and MEPCs is observed during high-frequency stimulation (5 Hz) in the presence of cholinesterase inhibitor after impairment of ACh synthesis. Shortening of MEPCs probably results from a direct blocking action of HC-3 on open ACh channels, as well as from reduction in quantal size. Shortening of EPCs is more pronounced (EPCs eventually have shorter time courses than MEPCs) and usually does not result from a gradual reduction in the spatial overlap of quantal events (because of reduced quantal content) or from a diminished 'lingering ACh' (ACh that remains in the synaptic cleft between nerve impulses), but rather from a much reduced quantal size of nerve-evoked quanta. 3. It therefore appears that the quanta that are released by nerve stimulation are preferentially filled with newly synthesized ACh. In its absence nerve stimulation leads to secretion of only partially filled quanta. This occurs simultaneously with spontaneous secretion of almost normally filled quanta. Hence it seems that the quantal discharge is not strongly dependent, if at all, on its ACh content. Moreover, the correspondence between the quantal sizes of nerve-evoked and spontaneously released quanta does not remain valid during high-frequency prolonged stimulation. 4. Even with the choline uptake system intact, prolonged high-frequency stimulation leads to a gradual shortening of EPCs and, to a small extent, MEPCs. Shortening of EPCs appears to be mainly a result of a reduction of their quantal size. 5. It is estimated from the shortening of EPCs and the known EPC versus MEPC relationship that the reduction of the quantal sizes of nerve-evoked quanta probably contributes very significantly to synaptic depression that occurs during prolonged high-frequency nerve stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)