Pressure-flow autoregulation was quantified within in vitro intestine from 3- and 35-day-old swine before and after lowering arterial PO2 (hypoxia) or lowering baseline blood flow by means of norepinephrine infusion (ischemia). Autoregulation was elicited by reducing arterial pressure approximately 33% from an age-appropriate baseline pressure. In 3-day-old intestine, autoregulation was unaffected by hypoxia or ischemia: vascular resistance was unchanged after pressure reduction, while Gf averaged -0.33 +/- 0.15 vs. -0.26 +/- 0.05 under control vs. hypoxic conditions, and -0.48 +/- 0.15 vs. -0.46 +/- 0.11 under control vs. ischemic conditions, respectively. In 35-day-old intestine, autoregulation was enhanced by hypoxia and ischemia. Under both experimental conditions, vasodilation was noted in response to pressure reduction: Gf averaged -0.04 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.08 under control vs. hypoxic conditions, and -0.12 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.08 under control vs. ischemic conditions, respectively. Regression analysis revealed a significant inverse linear correlation between Gf and venous PO2 in older, but not younger, subjects. Significant relationships between Gf and blood flow were not demonstrated in either group under any experimental condition. We conclude that autoregulation is enhanced within in vitro intestine from 35-, but not 3-day-old, swine during hypoxia or ischemia, and that reduction of venous PO2 is the principal factor responsible for the effect noted in older subjects.