1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) is known to interact in vitro with mononuclear phagocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the steroid in macrophage activation in vivo. Peritoneal macrophages from normal and vitamin D3-deficient mice were obtained after i.p. injection of activating or eliciting agents. Cells obtained from vitamin D3-deficient mice exhibited defected capabilities to perform anti-tumor activities (cytostasis and cytolysis) and to form oxygen reduction products (H2O2 and O2-). On the other hand, the level of the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase was unaffected by vitamin D3 deficiency. In vitro, incubation of macrophages with 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced their anti-tumor activities, but did not affect the cells' capacity to produce H2O2 and O2-, or acid phosphatase. Our results suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 is essential for macrophage activation in vivo. However, in vitro, the hormone is only partially capable of affecting the macrophage functions, probably because of the maturation state of the cells.