The postnatal maturation of Na transport in the rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD) was investigated. CCD segments from rabbits of three different age groups (3-9 days, 10-15 days, and 22-27 days) were perfused in vitro. Lumen-to-bath 22Na fluxes were 38.5 +/- 4.7, 17.0 +/- 2.9, and 30.2 +/- 4.0 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in the three groups, respectively. The high flux in the youngest group was explained by a high passive flux (28.3 +/- 4.2 pmol.mm-1.min-1) determined in the presence of ouabain; the passive 22Na flux in the two other groups (7.1 +/- 2.6 and 3.1 +/- 2.4 pmol.mm-1.min-1) was not significantly different from previously reported adult values. Ouabain-sensitive 22Na flux, reflecting active transport, was low in the two younger groups (10.3 +/- 2.5 and 9.9 +/- 1.9 pmol.mm-1.min-1), but exhibited a rapid increase to 27.1 +/- 2.6 pmol.mm-1.min-1 by 22-27 days of age. In vivo glucocorticoid pretreatment did not affect the Na transport in any age group. Mineralocorticoid pretreatment for 2 days had no effect in the two younger groups, but increased lumen-to-bath 22Na flux from 30.2 +/- 4.0 to 51.1 +/- 4.3 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in the 22- to 27-day-old group. The findings demonstrate that the maturation of rabbit CCD Na transport occurs in two stages, with the first consisting of a decrease in passive permeability during the first 2 wk of life, followed by an increase in active transport and simultaneous development of mineralocorticoid responsiveness.