The sialogogic response of submandibular glands to analogs of the C-terminal hexapeptide of substance P with various amino acids at the N-terminus was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. The rank order of potencies was as follows: SP greater than (pGlu6)SP6-11 much greater than (Dab6)SP6-11 greater than (Orn6)SP6-11 greater than (Gln6)SP6-11 greater than (Lys6)SP6-11 much greater than (Ala6)SP6-11. These results suggest that the sialogogic activity of the analogs of the C-terminal hexapeptide is influenced by the steric effects of the N-terminal amino acid, and the nature of its side chain is of particular importance.