IThe effect of xamoterol and (-)-isoprenaline have been compared for their activity at padrenoceptor sites in a number of in vitro cardiac and smooth muscle preparations. 2 Xamoterol produced weak positive chronotropic effects in guinea-pig, rat and cat atria (intrinsic activity < 0.55, ( -)-isoprenaline = 1). Positive inotropic effects were obtained in driven left atria of the cat but were absent in guinea-pig left atrial and right ventricular strip preparations. Agonistic effects were due to P,-adrenoceptor stimulation. 3 Xamoterol was without P-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibitory effects in guinea-pig ileal, tracheal and uterine preparations and in the rat vas deferens and oestrogen-primed uterus. Weak P2-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation was obtained in progesterone-primed rat uteri. 4 Xamoterol produced non-specific inhibitory effects in guinea-pig ileal and tracheal preparations.5 Xamoterol acted as a competitive antagonist at P,-(pA2 range = 7.4 to 7.8) and P2-adrenoceptors (pA2 range 5.2 to 6.2) and displaced ['251]-iodocyanopindolol from guinea-pig left atrial (pKD = 7.25) and uterine (pKD 5.24) membrane preparations. 6 It is concluded that xamoterol displays a selective affinity for p,-adrenoceptors. Although its partial agonistic actions are more evident at P,-adrenoceptor sites, like prenalterol, xamoterol displays a degree of tissue rather than receptor-dependent selectivity.