beta-Adrenoceptor blockade by propranolol (4 X 10(-6)M) was without effect on the overflow of endogenous noradrenaline from the isolated heart of the rat induced by stimulation of sympathetic nerves for 1 min at 1 and at 4 Hz. The increase in heart rate in response to such stimulation was abolished by propranolol treatment. alpha 2-Adrenoceptor blockade by yohimbine (10(-6)M) induced approximately a two fold increase in the overflow of endogenous noradrenaline induced by stimulation of sympathetic nerves for 1 min at 1 and at 4 Hz. A combination of yohimbine (10(-6)M) and desipramine (10(-7)M) induced a more than 3 fold increase in the overflow of endogenous noradrenaline produced by sympathetic nerve stimulation at 1 and at 4 Hz. Heart rate increases produced by such stimulation were intensified. These results provide no evidence for the feedback stimulation of presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors in this preparation. The action of alpha-2-blockade was equipotent at stimulation frequencies of 1 and 4 Hz.