Effects of topical application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on pial arteriolar diameter and cerebral prostanoid synthesis were examined in newborn pigs. H2O2 (10 mM) caused initial constriction during the 1st min, followed by prolonged (20 min) dilation that was reversed on removal of the H2O2 in piglets treated with deferoxamine. H2O2 also caused an increase in cortical periarachnoid 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane (TX) B2, and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Indomethacin pretreatment or coadministration of SQ 29548 (PGH2/TXA2 receptor antagonist) with H2O2 blocked the constriction due to H2O2 but did not alter the dilation. The constriction, the dilation, and the increased prostanoids caused by H2O2 were not affected by topical and systemic deferoxamine (an iron chelator) or simultaneous application of FeSO4 and FeCl3. Neither prior treatment with H2O2 nor with H2O2 plus FeSO4 and FeCl3 altered pial arteriolar dilation in response to hypercapnia. Therefore the initial constriction caused by H2O2 appears to result from stimulation of prostanoid synthesis and activation of PGH2/TXA2 receptors, whereas the dilation is not caused by prostanoids. H2O2 alone does not produce detectable residual alteration of pial arteriolar responsiveness or cerebral prostanoid synthesis.