Conditions to obtain high yields of intact acini from lactating bovine mammary glands and certain structural and functional characteristics of isolated acini were investigated. A two-factor experiment with three collagenase concentrations (100, 150, and 200 mg/100 ml) and incubation periods (40, 60, and 90 min) demonstrated that increases in both factors significantly increased net acini yield. Largest amounts of acini obtained, based on content of deoxyribonucleic acid, were 10.3% of the original tissue. Morphologically, fractions consisted primarily of acini or large cell clumps, and nearly all cells excluded trypan blue. Acini cultured in complete nutrient medium incorporated radioactive leucine into proteins. When acini were incubated in medium without supplemental amino acids, specific activity of synthesized proteins was correlated negatively with incubation time. During pulse labeling with radioactive L-leucine over 16 min, true labeling of acinar proteins occurred after 4 min. Sequential kinetics of pulse-chase labeling demonstrated a response pattern unique to the in vitro acinar system. Acinar protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide and strongly stimulated by by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate.