Ca2+ transport by the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) of normal rats was studied using the "in vitro" microperfusion technique. Net (Jnet), lumen-to-bath (Jl----b), and bath-to-lumen (Jb----l) fluxes of Ca2+ were measured in the absence of net water absorption using 45Ca as a tracer. In the absence of an electrochemical gradient, an important net absorption of Ca2+ (11.1 +/- 1.6 pmol.cm-2.s-1), similar to the difference between the Jl----b and Jb----l, was observed by direct determination at low (5-6 nl/min) and high (12-17 nl/min) perfusion rates. The Jl----b of Ca2+ was reduced by the addition to the bath fluid of ouabain (10(-3) M) and verapamil (10(-4) M), by the presence of amiloride (10(-5) and 10(-3) M) and verapamil (10(-4) M) in the luminal fluid, or by perfusion with a Na+-free solution. Neither the presence of verapamil (10(-4) M) and ouabain (10(-3) M) in the bath nor the withdrawal of Na+ from bath and perfusion solution was able to modify the Jb----l of Ca2+. Incrementing Ca2+ bath concentration increased proportionally the Jb----l of Ca2+. Therefore Ca2+ outflux is in part dependent on Na+-K+-adenosinetriphosphatase luminal membrane Na+ transport and in part inhibited by verapamil. However, Ca2+ influx is independent of Na+ transport, is not blocked by verapamil, but is increased by Ca2+ transtubular gradient, indicating the presence of a passive diffusion mechanism.