Experiments were performed to test the effects of frequency on the wave form of electrical slow waves in canine antral circular muscle. At frequencies between 3.0 and 5.6 cycles per minute antral slow waves revealed an alternating wave form pattern. At physiological frequencies antral muscle was incapable of consistently propagating mechanically productive slow waves. Two components of the slow wave were identified on the basis of propagation refractory period. At inter-slow-wave intervals of 3-14 s, the amplitude and duration of the plateau phase wave decreased, but the upstroke phase of the slow wave was minimally affected. Intervals of 2.5-4 s resulted in a normal upstroke event but abolished the plateau. At shorter intervals the upstroke phase of the slow wave was greatly reduced or abolished. The absolute propagation refractory period averaged 2.8 +/- 0.9 s (n = 7) following repolarization of a 'conditioning' slow wave. Slow waves failed to propagate within the absolute propagation refractory period. Acetylcholine decreased the interval required for the plateau phase of the slow wave to recover and permitted conduction of mechanically productive slow waves at or above physiological frequencies. The data presented suggest that gastric motility is modulated by extrinsic and intrinsic factors which regulate slow-wave frequency.