Intestinal adaptation by the growing rat to a low-magnesium diet was studied by in situ perfusion of duodenum and ileum in vivo. Rats were fed diets containing either 0.066 or 0.022% Mg for 3 weeks. Magnesium-restricted rats became hypomagnesemic and hypercalcemic. Net magnesium secretion was studied by perfusing an initially magnesium-free saline solution; secretion was higher in duodenum than in ileum, and decreased significantly in the duodenum in response to magnesium restriction. Net magnesium adsorption studied by intraluminal perfusion of 2.5 mM magnesium in saline was greater in duodenum than ileum in rats taking a low-magnesium diet, but duodenal and ileal absorption did not differ in animals taking the normal magnesium diet. Absorption did not adapt significantly to magnesium restriction in either segment. Adaptation of small-intestinal magnesium transport to a low magnesium diet is minimal, consisting mainly of reduced duodenal magnesium secretion.