Objective To investigate the roles of sympathetic and vagus nerves in hypotension and bradycardia induced by fentanyl. Methods Fourteen rabbits were divided into 2 groups: normal and vagotomized rabbits. Rabbits were anesthetized

paralyzed

and artificial ventilated. Right renal sympathetic nerve was exposed and prepared for recording electrical activity. Fentanyl was injected intravenously in incremental doses of 1

4

15

30

and 50 μg/kg at 10 minutes intervals. Results Fentanyl significantly reduced the spontaneous activity of renal sympathetic nerve

mean arterial pressure

and heart rate above a total dose of 20 μg/kg in both normal and vagotomized rabbits. However

normal rabbits spontaneous sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure were more depressed than vagotomized rabbits at total doses of 50 and 100 μg/kg. There were no significant difference in the reduction of heart rate between normal and vagotomized rabbits. Conclusion Fentanyl induction of bradycardia and hypotension in rabbits is mainly due to depression of sympathetic nerve activity.