In rat portal vein myocytes, Ca(2+) signals can be generated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3))- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) release channels, which are located on the same intracellular store. Using a laser scanning confocal microscope associated with the patch-clamp technique, we showed that propagated Ca(2+) waves evoked by norepinephrine (in the continuous presence of oxodipine) were completely blocked after internal application of an anti-InsP(3) receptor antibody. These propagated Ca(2+) waves were also reduced by approximately 50% and transformed in homogenous Ca(2+) responses after application of an anti-ryanodine receptor antibody or ryanodine. All-or-none Ca(2+) waves obtained with increasing concentrations of norepinephrine were transformed in a dose-response relationship with a Hill coefficient close to unity after ryanodine receptor inhibition. Similar effects of the ryanodine receptor inhibition were observed on the norepinephrine- and ACh-induced Ca(2+) responses in non-voltage-clamped portal vein and duodenal myocytes and on the norepinephrine-induced contraction. Taken together, these results show that ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) release channels are responsible for the fast propagation of Ca(2+) responses evoked by various neurotransmitters producing InsP(3) in vascular and visceral myocytes.