Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration in arterial and renal venous plasma was determined by radioimmunoassay in anesthetized dogs, and the PGE2 secretion rate was calculated. Intrarenal arterial infusion of CaCl2 (0.68 meq/min) resulted in a biphasic effect on renal blood flow (RBF) and an initial increase followed by a gradual decrease below the preinfusion level. PGE2 secretion rate increased from 7.2 +/- 4.4 to 95 +/- 28 ng/min, with a marked increase of RBF after 3 min of CaCl2 infusion. An equivalent amount of NaCl infused into the renal artery did not affect either the RBF or the PGE2 secretion rate. One-tenth the dose of CaCl2 (0.068 meq/min) infused into the renal artery did not increase either RBF or PGE2 secretin rate, and the RBF gradually decreased after infusion. The transient renal vasodilation observed during infusion of a high dose of CaCl2 ceased with the combined intrarenal infusion of verapamil (100 micrograms/min), and was also abolished by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.). Infusion of CaCl2 (0.68 meq/min) into the femoral artery did not enhance the PGE2 secretion rate from the hindlimb, and femoral blood flow decreased immediately after the infusion. These results suggest tht the renal vessels as well as other resistance vessels are essentially constricted by calcium and that endogenous PGE2 released by calcium may modify this renal vasoconstriction.