This study was designed to assess the influences of cholinergic stimulation on coronary flow (CF), oxygen metabolism (MVO2) and contractility (MC) of the left ventricle in the newborn. Nineteen lambs, 1-7 days of age, were anesthetized with pentobarbital (20 mg/kg) and prepared for continuous measurement of CF, heart rate (HR), aortic (AP) and left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDP) pressures, dP/dt max, and cardiac output (CO). HR, AP, and CO could be controlled as desired. Simultaneous arterial and sinus blood samples were analyzed for O2 content, hematocrit, pH, PO2, and PCO2. LV MVO2 and %O2 extraction (Ext) were calculated. Acetylcholine (ACh) infusion (30-50 microgram/min-kg) caused an increase of LVEDP (4 cmH2O), but no significant change in dP/dt max or HR with constant AP and CO. CF increased by 44%, but MVO2 per beat was unchanged. Similar changes were observed with constant HR (pace). Suramaximal efferent stimulation of right or left vagus nerves produced bradycardia (77-68 beats/min) but no significant changes in contractility, CF, Ext, or MVO2. These findings were unaltered by beta blockade. The changes elicited by ACh infusion or vagal stimulation were abolished by giving atropine. It is concluded that although cholinergic sensitivity can be demonstrated, vagal stimulation does not importantly influence MC, CF, or MVO2 in the lamb. This may relate to incomplete development of the adrenergic system.