$alpha$-Adrenoceptor subtypes in the isolated rat aortic strips were examined by using agonists and antagonists which have varying selectivity for $alpha_1$- and $alpha_2$- adrenoceptors. Norepinephrine and phenylephrine produced a similar magnitude of maximum contractions. $pA_2$ values for prazosin and yohimbine were not significantly different using norepinephrine or phenylephrine as the agonist, suggesting a single population of alpha-adrenoceptor. Contractile responses produced by alpha-agonists were antagonized more effectively by prazosin (approximately 1000 fold) than by yohimbine.