The epithelium of the small intestine can both actively absorb and actively secrete electrolytes and water. Secretion can be elicited in vitro by adding cyclic AMP or a stimulator of intestinal mucosal adenylate cyclase (cholera and Escherichia coli enterotoxins, prostaglandins, vasoactive intestinal peptide) or an inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (theophylline). Cyclic AMP appears to alter intestinal ion transport at two different loci: it inhibits a coupled influx process for Na+ and Cl- at the luminal border, thereby reducing active absorption of NaCl, and it also stimulates the active secretion of anion (or Na+ and anion). A variety of evidence suggests that these two effects of cyclic AMP reside in different types of cells, the former in villus cells and the latter in crypt cells. The latter process is Na+-dependent and is inhibited by low concentrations of ouabain and ethacrynic acid. Active ion absorption in vitro can be enhanced by (1) stimulating Na+-coupled organic solute absorption with glucose, amino acids and possibly also oligo peptides; (2) reducing the HCO3- concentration and/or pH of the serosal bathing solution; and (3) introducing an alpha-adrenergic agonist. Cholera toxin-induced fluid production in vivo can be diminished by the first of these manoeuvres. The in vivo efficacies of the other two have not been evaluated.