The effects of forskolin, a diterpene reported to stimulate adenylate cyclase, on electrolyte transport across the isolated colonic mucosa of rat colon descendens were investigated. Forskolin, over a concentration range of 10(-7)-10(-5) M, dose-dependently increased short circuit current (Isc) and transmural potential difference (Vms). The nearly 2-fold increase in Isc and Vms caused by forskolin was accompanied by a small increase in transmural conductance (Gt). The effects of forskolin were rapid and completely reversible without any loss in tissue sensitivity. Forskolin (5 X 10(-6) M) inhibited the absorption of Na+ and reversed Cl- absorption to secretion. These effects were due to an inhibition of the mucosal-to-serosal fluxes of Na+ and Cl-. Ion substitution experiments revealed that the effects of forskolin were both Na+ and Cl- dependent and these ions were required in the serosal solution. Furosemide (10(-4) M) as well as scilliroside (10(-4) M) reversed and prevented the increase in Isc caused by forskolin. Adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of colonic mucosa was increased 3-fold by forskolin. These results with rat colon are compared with those reported for rabbit colon and ileum and the mechanism of cyclic-AMP induced Cl- secretion in these epithelia is discussed.