We investigated the effects of histamine on the motility of isolated segments from canine ureters and characterized pharmacologically the histamine receptors involved. We also evaluated the effects of various autacoids (5-HT, carbachol, noradrenaline, thromboxane, prostaglandin F2alpha) on the motility of canine ureters. Histamine as well as the H1 receptor agonist 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine elicited a concentration-dependent contraction. This contractile response was antagonized by dimethindene, causing a rightward shift (pA2 8.30) and a reduction of the slope and the maximal effect (pD'2 6.01) of the concentration-response curve. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine in a concentration of 10(-5) mol/l was ineffective concerning the concentration-response curve for histamine. After precontraction of the ureter segments (5-HT, carbachol, prostaglandin F2alpha), a concentration-dependent relaxant effect was evaluated in the presence of histamine or the histamine H2 receptor agonist impromidine. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine attenuated the relaxant response, causing a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve. All autacoids except thromboxane were capable of increasing contractility in canine ureters. Comparing the absolute contractile force in the presence of prostaglandin F2alpha, 5-HT, carbachol, noradrenaline and potassium, we found that histamine exhibits the most marked effect on this parameter in the canine ureter. It is concluded that there are two types of histamine receptors modulating contractile activity in the canine ureter: histamine H1 receptors, which mediate contraction, and histamine H2 receptors, which mediate relaxation (in the precontracted tissue).