Vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors in relation to altered thyroid function was studied in two preparations: aortic strips and the isolated perfused kidney. To assess whether the possible alterations in vascular reactivity were restricted to a specific agonist or whether they involved the contractile system, receptor-mediated and nonspecific smooth muscle stimulants were used. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Aortic strips from hypothyroid rats were less sensitive to phenylephrine and KCl when the data were expressed in absolute values or as percentages of the maximum responses. Sensitivity and reactivity in strips from hyperthyroid rats were similar to those observed in control strips. Renal vasculature obtained from hypothyroid rats also showed a markedly reduced sensitivity to phenylephrine, with normal maximal responses. The response to vasopressin at 3-10(-11) mol/l was also decreased, as was the reactivity to barium chloride. In contrast, renal vasculature of hyperthyroid rats showed markedly enhanced reactivity to all agonists: the concentration-response curves were characterized by a similar threshold and a greater maximal response. These results demonstrate that hypothyroidism is accompanied by a marked decrease in sensitivity to vasoconstrictors in large arteries as well as in resistance vessels. This decrease may be secondary to a generalized alteration in the contractile system of vascular smooth muscle cells and may play a role in the decreased blood pressure in these animals. In contrast, isolated perfused kidneys of hyperthyroid rats showed increased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors, which may play a role in the maintenance of elevated blood pressure in these animals.