Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) and forskolin were used to investigate vasodilating mechanism of cAMP in rabbit aorta. Db-cAMP and forskolin inhibited the development of contractile tension induced by norepinephrine (NE) concentration-dependently. However, high K+-induced contractile tension was inhibited less effectively by db-cAMP and forskolin. Db-cAMP and forskolin inhibited 45Ca2+ uptake increased by NE. Forskolin seemed to inhibit 45Ca2+ uptake increased by high K+, but this inhibition was not significant statistically. Db-cAMP inhibited Ca2+-transient contraction by NE in Ca2+-free solution. In conclusion, it seems that cAMP blocks Ca2+ influx through receptor operated Ca2+ channels (ROCs), but that the effect of cAMP on Ca2+ influx through voltage gated Ca2+ channels (VGCs) is not clear in this experiment. Furthermore, cAMP is likely to inhibit calcium release from the intracellular stores.