The effects evoked by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) on forestomach myoelectric activity were investigated in conscious sheep. Myoelectric signals were recorded with electrodes chronically implanted in the reticulum, rumen (dorsal sac) and omasal body, and were analysed by a computer-based method. The 5-HT receptors and the neuronal pathways involved in these actions were studied. The intravenous (i.v.) infusion of 5-HT (8 micrograms kg-1 min-1 for 5 min) evoked an inhibition of activity of the whole forestomach. Methiothepin, injected i.v. at 0.1 mg kg-1, inhibited rumen secondary contractions and omasum activity. However, forestomach activity remained unchanged after the administration of 0.2 mg kg-1 of ketanserin, ondansetron, tropisetron, GR-113808, phentolamine, propranolol, domperidone and naloxone. Atropine (0.2 mg kg-1), hexamethonium (2 mg kg-1) or haloperidol (0.1 mg kg-1) abolished rumen secondary cycles and inhibited omasum activity. In addition, atropine also suppressed primary cycles. GR-113808 blocked all 5-HT-induced effects. Furthermore, atropine or hexamethonium prevented the 5-HT-evoked inhibition of reticulorumen primary cycles. In contrast, the remaining antagonists did not alter the 5-HT-evoked forestomach hypomotility. In conclusion, 5-HT induces inhibition of forestomach myoelectric activity through 5-HT4 receptors, these actions being mediated by cholinergic neural pathways involving muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. However, adrenergic, dopaminergic or opiate pathways are not implicated.