Transgenic (TG) mice with cardiac specific 200-fold overexpression of beta(2)-adrenoceptors (beta(2)-AR) have a facilitated development of heart failure following thoracic aortic constriction (TAC). We have studied the alterations of intracellular Ca(2+) transients and myocyte size in wild-type (WT) and TG mice after TAC. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from mice 9 weeks after TAC or sham operation, and incubated with Fura 2/AM. The Ca(2+) transients were determined by Spex dual wavelength Spectrometer during electrical stimulation. The cell size was also determined planimetrically. Cells of sham operated TG mice displayed higher systolic Ca(2+) amplitude than respective WT group (DeltaF(340)/F(380) ratio: 1.05+/-0.08 vs. 0.63+/-0.05; P<0.01), a finding in keeping with enhanced ventricular contractility in the TG mice. However, hypertrophied and failing myocytes of TG animals showed a fall in Ca(2+) transients from sham-operated control levels and there was no difference between TG and WT groups following TAC. In sham-operated groups, the cell size of TG mice was significantly bigger than in WT animals (3212+/-139 vs. 2605+/-162 microm(2); P<0.05). The cell size increased to a similar extent in both groups after TAC (4715+/-216 vs. 5027+/-365 microm(2), P=n.s.). In summary, hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was present in beta(2)-AR TG mice under baseline conditions. A further hypertrophy occurred during pressure overload to an extent similar to that in WT animals. However, the increased intracellular Ca(2+) transient, seen in sham-operated TG mice, was no longer detectable following development of severe hypertrophy and heart failure. These findings provide explanation on the lack of hemodynamic benefit in beta(2)-AR TG mice subjected to pressure overload.