Ro 03-7894 (0.6 mM) produced a non-parallel shift to the right of dose-response curves to (-)-isoprenaline in K+ depolarized uterine preparations from the guinea-pig. The displacement of the curves was readily reversed by washing. A rightward shift of similar magnitude was also produced by Ro 03-7894 in transmurally stimulated ileal preparations. The relaxant effects of fenoterol in carbachol-contracted guinea-pig tracheal preparations (in the presence of 2 microM atenolol) were not altered by 0.6 mM Ro 03-7894. In the three tissues there was no evidence of a reduction in the maximal inhibitory response to the agonists. In uterine and tracheal preparations, Ro 03-7894 (0.6 mM) depressed contractile responses to exogenous calcium. The depression of responses was enhanced after washout of Ro 03-7894 for 80 min. Contractile responses of ileal preparations to transmural stimulation were also depressed by Ro 03-7894. Concentration-effect curves for the positive inotropic effects of (-)-isoprenaline in guinea-pig left atrial preparations were markedly shifted to the right and the maximum response depressed by 0.6 mM Ro 03-7894. Although the rightward shift of the curves was fully reversed during the 120 min washout period, the maximal responses remained depressed. In similar experiments, Ro 03-7894 produced a washout-resistant depression of inotropic responses to histamine and calcium. The results of radioligand binding studies in left atria using (-)-[125I]-iodocyanopindolol indicated that, when compared to the untreated atria, there was no reduction in the maximal density of binding sites 120 min after washout of 0.6 mM Ro 03-7894. 5 On the basis of the present results it is concluded that Ro 03-7894 induces a non-specific depressant effect on smooth and cardiac muscle preparations during exposure to the drug. This depressant effect persists following washout of the drug. There is no evidence for an irreversible effect of Ro 03-7894 at beta-adrenoceptor sites.