Galanin, a neuropeptide that is widely distributed in the esophageal nerves, is known to exert a neuromodulatory action in the gut. These studies examined the effect of galanin and galanin antagonists on esophageal peristalsis in anesthetized opossums in vivo. Intraluminal esophageal pressures were recorded at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. Esophageal peristaltic contractions were induced by swallow and short- (1-s) and long-train (10-s) vagal stimulation (VS). Galanin (1 nmol/kg) inhibited the amplitude of swallow-induced peristaltic contractions and increased peristaltic velocity by enlarging the latency periods in the upper part of the esophagus and reducing them in the lower part. Galinin nearly abolished esophageal contractions caused by short-train VS at 5 Hz and inhibited the contractions at 10 Hz. Galanin increased latency periods induced by short-train VS with little change in the velocity of peristalsis and reduced the amplitude of both A (cholinergic) and B (noncholinergic) contractions due to long-train VS. However, the decrease in amplitude of B contractions was more marked. Galantide (3 nmol/kg) antagonized the inhibitory action of exogenous galanin on esophageal contractions elicited by short-train VS, but by itself galantide had no significant effect on esophageal contractions. In conclusion, exogenous galanin inhibits the amplitude of swallow-induced peristaltic contractions and converts them into nonperistaltic contractions by inhibiting both the cholinergic and noncholinergic components.