We examined the hypothesis that V2-like receptors might contribute to the hemodynamic response seen after blockade of the vasoconstrictor (V1) effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in nonhypotensive hemorrhage. Seven chronically instrumented dogs were bled 15 ml/kg within 15 min on two different days, at least 3 days apart, and then injected either with the V1 antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]AVP [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP, 10 micrograms/kg] or with the combined V1+V2 antagonist [1(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)2-(O-ethyl)-D-tyrosine)4-valine]AVP [d(CH2)5-D-Tyr-(Et)VAVP (10 micrograms/kg)]. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output (electromagnetic flowmeter) were measured before as well as after hemorrhage and for 10 min after antagonist administration. Both antagonists given after hemorrhage significantly decreased mean arterial pressure as well as total peripheral resistance and increased cardiac output. The V1 antagonist also increased heart rate significantly. No significant hemodynamic changes were measured in another group of six dogs in the absence of antagonist treatment. Although hemodynamic changes tended to be greater with the V1 antagonist than with the combined V1+V2 antagonist, a significant difference between the two analogues was established only for heart rate. These results indicate that in hemorrhage interaction with V2-like receptors plays only a modest role in the hemodynamic changes after V1 blockade in conscious dogs, contrary to what was found in dehydration.