The activation by concanavalin A (Con A) of murine lymphocytes derived from aged animals is impaired, as demonstrated by lower IL-2 synthesis, display of fewer IL-2 receptors, and less [3H]thymidine incorporation relative to similarly treated cells from young animals. The ability of the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, in conjunction with Con A, to improve these parameters of activation has been assessed. When splenic lymphocytes derived from aged mice are cultured with Con A plus ionomycin, IL-2 synthesis and IL-2 receptor expression are increased over the values obtained in parallel cultures triggered by Con A alone up to levels equal to that obtained in Con A-activated young cultures. The proliferative response is less sensitive to the augmenting effect of ionomycin. PMA is much less effective in improving these parameters of Con A activation. PMA plus ionomycin, in the absence of Con A, triggers cell cycle transition of lymphocytes derived from both aged and young animals. Both IL-2 synthesis and IL-2 receptor expression induced by PMA plus ionomycin reach levels equal or near equal that found in parallel cultures of cells from young animals; however, proliferation is lower than in young adult cultures.