The muscarinic (M) receptors involved in the vasodilation elicited by acetylcholine (ACh) and in the carbachol inhibition in electrically induced [3H]noradrenaline (NA) release in cat cerebral arteries was investigated. For this, atropine, pirenzepine, AF-DX 116, 4-DAMP, non-specific, M1, M2 and M3 receptor antagonists, respectively, were used. ACh elicited concentration-dependent relaxations up to 10(-6) M which were attenuated by these antagonists; the order of potency (pA2 values) to inhibit the ACh-induced relaxation was: atropine (10.1) 4-DAMP (8.9) greater than pirenzepine (7.6) greater than AF-DX 116 (5.9). The electrical stimulation (200 mA, 0.3 ms, 2 Hz, during 1 min) of these arteries preincubated with [3H]NA caused tritium release which was inhibited by carbachol (10(-6) M). The 4 antagonists attenuated the action of the M agonist; the order of potency (pIC50 values) was: atropine (8.7) greater than 4-DAMP (8.1) greater than AF-DX 116 (7.9) greater than pirenzepine (5.8). The action of McN-A-343, a putative M1 agonist, was also investigated. This agent produced small vasodilator responses and elevated concentrations (5 x 10(-5) M) inhibited the stimulated NA release, which was partially antagonized by atropine (10(-7) M) and pirenzepine (10(-8) and 10(-7) M). These results suggest the existence of M3 and M2 receptors mediating the relaxation induced by ACh and the NA release inhibition evoked by carbachol, respectively.