In the present study alpha-receptor modulation of coronary flow and cardiac function was examined in exercising dogs, chronically instrumented to measure: circumflex blood flow velocity (CFV), heart rate (HR), global left ventricular function (LVP and dP/dt Max) and regional left ventricular function (%SL and dL/dt (s)max). During exercise, local adrenergic blockade was produced by intracoronary injection of 1.0 mg phentolamine ( anon-specific alpha-antagonist) or .5 mp prazosin. Exercise significantly increased HR, LVP, dP/dt max, CFV, %SL and dL/dt (s)max. Neither alpha-antagonist produced changes in HR, LVP or %SL; however, both phentolamine and prazosin produced significant increses in dP/dtmax, CFV and dL/dt(s)max of the alpha-blocked region, when compared to their exercise level before alpha-blockade. It is suggested that an alpha1-adrenergic vasoconstriction limits coronary vasodilation and, thereby, cardiac function during exercise.