The effects of extracellular Ca2+ and various Ca2+ antagonists on endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine were studied in the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta in order to elucidate the control mechanism of endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) release. Endothelium was removed from aortic strips by gentle rubbing with cotton ball. The effect of hemoglobin on basal tension was also observed with hemolysate. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) to acetylcholine (ACh) showed biphasic pattern; the initial rapid relaxation phase and the late slow relaxation phase. 2) With the depletion of the extracellular Ca2+, EDR was gradually suppressed, especially the late slow relaxation. 3) Verapamil, nifedipine, Mn2+ and Cd2+ had not any effect on EDR, while La3+ and Co2+ suppressed EDR completely. 4) The resting tension of the strips with rubbed endothelium was not altered by the addition of hemoglobin. That of the strips with intact endothelium, however, was enhanced and EDR to ACh was completely blocked From these results, we suggest that extracellular Ca2+ is necessary for ACh-induced slow relaxation while Ca2+ antagonists have not any effect on EDR.