Thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonists were studied in rat and guinea-pig aortas contracted with U-46619 (9,11-dideoxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2 alpha) or 8-epi-prostaglandin F2 alpha. In rat aorta, the antagonists competitively inhibited contractions evoked by either agonist with a rank order of potency as follows: BMS-180291 ([1s-(exo,exo)]-2-[[3-[4-[(pentylamino) carbonyl]-2-oxazolyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl]-benz enepropanoic acid) > or = SQ 29,548 ([1s-[1 alpha,2 beta-(5z), 3 beta,4 alpha)]-7-[3-[[2-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]hydrozino] methyl]-7-oxobicyclo-[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptanoic acid) > daltroban (4-[2-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonylamino) methyl]-benzene acetic acid) > or = SQ 30,741 ([1s-[1 beta,2 alpha(5z),3 alpha,4 beta]]-7-[3-[[[[(oxa)amino]acetyl] amino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl-5-heptanoic acid) = AA-2414 (2,4,5-trimethyl-3,6-dioxo-zeta-phenyl-1,4-cyclohexadien-1-heptano ic acid). In guinea-pig aorta, the antagonists competitively antagonized contractions elicited by either agonist with the following rank order of potency: SQ 29,548 = AA-2414 > or = SQ 30,741 > daltroban. Antagonism by BMS-180291 in guinea-pig aorta was not strictly competitive. These findings indicate that thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptors in rat aortas are different from those in guinea pigs. Because the actions of both agonists were equivalently antagonized by each of the antagonists in both rat and guinea-pig aortas, the results do not support the hypothesis that U-46619 and 8-epi-prostaglandin F2 alpha elicit contractions via different receptor subtypes in the aorta.