Hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation in the newborn pig is a prostanoid-associated response. In some adult models, hypercapnic cerebral vasodilation is associated with the generation of nitric oxide (NO). Acetylcholine (ACh) produces a NO-dependent cerebral vasodilation in many adult models, but topical ACh is a prostanoid-associated cerebral vasoconstrictor in the newborn pig. We hypothesized that mediators influencing cerebral response can be age dependent. Juvenile domestic pigs were compared with newborn pigs, and pial arteriolar diameters were measured by use of a closed cranial window during hypercapnia and topical ACh (10(-5) M). Four different conditions were explored: control, topical N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10(-3) M), indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.), and both L-NNA and indomethacin. All animals were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. As opposed to the complete block in the newborn, indomethacin only partially attenuated the hypercapnic cerebral vasodilation in the juvenile pig.L-NNA, which had no effect on the response of the newborn, produced a partial attenuation of the hypercapnic response of the juvenile. The combination of indomethacin and L-NNA blocked the response in both age groups. Topical ACh in both age groups initially produced cerebral vasoconstriction, but, in the juvenile, this was followed by a sustained cerebral vasodilation. Indomethacin blocked the early vasoconstriction in both age groups. L-NNA, which had no effect in the response of the newborn to ACh, blocked the vasodilation seen in the juvenile. The combination of both inhibitors blocked all response to ACh in the juvenile. These data indicate that although the cerebral vascular responses to ACh and hypercapnia are prostanoid associated and NO independent in the newborn pig, NO assumes an increasing role in dilatory responses with development.