1. Currents mediated by Ca2+ channels using Ba2+ as a charge carrier (IBa), Na+ currents (INa) and voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ currents (IC) were recorded from bullfrog paravertebral sympathetic ganglion B-cells using whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. Currents recorded from control cells were compared with those from axotomized cells 13-15 days after transection of the postganglionic nerve. 2. Axotomy reduced peak IBa at -10 mV (holding potential = -80 mV) from 3.3 +/- 0.3 nA (n = 42) to 1.7 +/- 0.1 nA (n = 39, P < 0.001). Tail IBa at -40 mV following a step to +70 mV from a holding potential of -80 mV was also reduced in axotomized neurones (9.7 +/- 0.6 nA for forty-two control neurones and 5.2 +/- 0.3 nA for thirty-nine axotomized neurones; P < 0.001). Minimal changes were observed in the kinetics of activation and deactivation. 3. Pharmacological experiments using 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2- trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (BayK 8644), nifedipine and omega-conotoxin showed that axotomy predominantly affected the N-type Ca2+ channels which carry the majority of ICa in these neurones. L-type Ca2+ current was little affected and T-type Ca2+ currents were not observed in control or axotomized cells. 4. Development of inactivation of 0 mV and recovery from inactivation of IBa at -80 mV exhibited three distinct components in both control and axotomized neurones: 'fast', 'intermediate' and 'slow'. The relative proportions of both the 'fast' and 'intermediate' components of inactivation at 0 mV were almost doubled after axotomy (fast component was 15% in control and 29% in axotomized neurones; intermediate component was 17% in control and 26% in axotomized neurones). 'Fast' and 'intermediate' inactivation tended to develop more rapidly and recover more slowly after axotomy. The rate of onset of 'slow' inactivation was unaffected by axotomy but the steady-state level at -40 mV was increased. Most of the change in IBa properties may be secondary to enhanced inactivation associated with axotomy. 5. Axotomy reduced IC (measured at the end of a 3 ms step from -40 to +20 mV) from 34.5 +/- 4.9 (n = 26) to 19.2 +/- 1.5 nA (n = 49, P < 0.005). This reduction may be secondary to the reduction in calcium channels available for activation from -40 mV following axotomy. 6. The TTX-sensitive and TTX-insensitive components of peak Na+ conductance (GNa) were both increased after axotomy. Total GNa was increased from 184.9 +/- 8.4 to 315.2 +/- 16.4 nS (n = 37 for both P < 0.001). Most of the kinetic and steady-state properties of INa were unchanged after axotomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)