The ability of a Cl-secreting epithelium to support net secretion of an anion other than a halide was investigated with 35SO4 flux measurements across the isolated, short-circuited rabbit distal colon. In most experiments, 36Cl fluxes were simultaneously measured to validate the secretory capacity of the tissues. Serosal addition of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP, 0.5 mM) stimulated a sustained net secretion of SO4 (about -3.0 nmol.cm-2.h-1 from a 0.20 mM solution) via an increase in the serosal-to-mucosal unidirectional flux, whereas Ca ionophore A-23187 (1 microM, serosal) produced a more transient stimulation of SO4 and Cl secretion. Net adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent SO4 and Cl secretion were strongly voltage sensitive, principally through the potential dependence of the serosal-to-mucosal fluxes, indicating an electrogenic transport process. Symmetrical replacement of either Na, K, or Cl inhibited cAMP-dependent SO4 secretion, whereas HCO3-free buffers had no effect on SO4 secretion. Serosal bumetanide (50 microM) or furosemide (100 microM) reduced DBcAMP-stimulated SO4 and Cl secretion, whereas serosal 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (50 microM) blocked DBcAMP-induced SO4 secretion while enhancing net Cl secretion and short-circuit current. Mucosal 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid partially inhibited SO4 secretion and completely inhibited Cl secretion. It is concluded that secretagogue-stimulated SO4 secretion, like Cl secretion, may be an electrogenic process mediated by diffusive efflux through an apical anion conductance. Cellular accumulation of SO4 across the basolateral membrane appears to be achieved by a mechanism that is distinct from that employed by Cl.