The possible involvement of tachykinin neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptors in the activation of various micturition-related reflexes was assessed by the intrathecal administration of selective neurokinin-1 or neurokinin-2 receptor antagonists at lumbosacral spinal cord level in urethane-anaesthetized rats. The effect of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, was also investigated for comparison. The effect of antagonists was investigated on: (i) the chemonociceptive vesicovesical reflex activated by topical application of capsaicin onto the urinary bladder; (ii) the distension-induced micturition reflex produced by transvesical filling with saline; (iii) distension-induced rhythmic bladder contractions in isovolumetric conditions (urethra-ligated rats); and (iv) the somatovesical excitatory reflex caused by noxious perineal pinching. The neurokinin-2 receptor selective antagonists MEN 10,376 and SR 48,968 were ineffective in the three models in all doses tested. Selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists blocked the chemonociceptive reflex produced by topical application of capsaicin with the rank order of potency (lowest effective dose in brackets): GR 82,334 (1 nmol/rat) > RP 67,580 (10 nmol/rat) > (+/-)CP 96,345 (100 nmol/rat). Unlike GR 82,334, RP 67,580 (10 nmol/rat) and (+/-)CP 96,345 (100 nmol/rat) were also effective on the distension-induced micturition reflex elicited by transvesical filling. Similarly, distension-induced rhythmic contractions were inhibited by RP 67,580 (10 nmol/rat) and (+/-)CP 96,345 (100 nmol/rat) whereas the effect of GR 82,334 was not significant. RP 68,651, the enantiomer of RP 67,580 devoid of neurokinin-1 receptor blocking activity, was inactive in both models. 2-Amino-5-phosphonovateric acid (250 nmol/rat) blocked the three types of vesicoexcitatory reflexes. Intravenous administration of (+/-)CP 96,345, RP 67,580 or 2-amino-5-phosphonovateric acid at the same doses proven effective after the intrathecal route, had no effect on distension-induced rhythmic contractions. To ascertain whether the effect of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists or 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid may be related to a blockade of tachykinins released from capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurons, the effect of RP 67,580 was investigated on the distension-evoked micturition reflex in capsaicin-pretreated rats. Capsaicin pretreatment (50 mg/kg, subcutaneously, four days before) increased bladder capacity. RP 67,580 was no longer effective in capsaicin-pretreated rats. In contrast, 2-amino-5-phosphonovateric acid produced a further increase in bladder capacity in capsaicin-pretreated rats. We conclude that tachykinin neurokinin-1 but not neurokinin-2 receptors are involved in the activation of vesicoexcitatory micturition-related reflexes in the rat spinal cord.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)