Forskolin has been reported to stimulate cAMP formation and reduce intraocular pressure in rabbit and primate eyes. In view of recent evidence for the involvement of cAMP in modulation of transmitter release at adrenergic synapses, we have investigated the presynaptic effects of forskolin and other cAMP activators on field-stimulated secretion of H-norepinephrine (3H-NE) in the isolated, perfused rabbit iris-ciliary body. Forskolin (10−7-10 M−5) was Jiound to markedly enhance stimulation-evoked3H-NE release without affecting basal (spontaneous) release. The response to forskolin was potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX; 0.5 mM) and was mimicked by the cell-permeant cyclic nucleotide analog 8-bromo-cAMP. 8-bromo-cGMP also, produce a small enhancement of stimulus-evoked H-NE secretion, whereas IBMX alone had little effect on either stimulated or basal secretion. These results suggest that cAMP may play an important neuromodulatory role in regulation of norepinephrine release at intraocular synapses, and raise the possibility that the ocular hypotensive response to forskolin in rabbit eyes may be mediated, in part, by enhanced adrenergic neurosecretion.