The effects of prostaglandins (PGs) D2, E2, F2 alpha, an epoxymethano analogue of PGH2 (U-46619), prostacyclin (PGI2), 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane (TX) B2 were tested on spirally-cut strips of guinea-pig isolated ileum or colon. In the ileum no prostanoid exerted a marked effect on the resting tissue, but PGD2, PGE2 or PGI2 1 ug ml-1 inhibited submaximal contraction to KC1. U-46619 1 ug ml-1 either inhibited or increased contractions in KC1, but PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha or TXB2 1 ug ml-1 had no significant effect. PGE2 relaxed colonic strips whereas the other prostanoids caused contraction, except for TXB2 which had no effect. The PG antagonist SC-19220 blocked colonic contractions to the prostanoids, and the residual inhibitory effect of PGD2, U-46619 or PGI2 was demonstrated by the reduction of submaximal contractions to acetylcholine. Our results suggest that prostanoid receptors mediating inhibitory responses of circular muscle predominate in the ileum, whereas in the colon both excitatory and inhibitory prostanoid receptors occur.