Theophylline and the surface active agents specified below were instilled into the jejunum of anaesthetized rats, and the cAMP levels in the mucosal tissue determined after 7 1/2 and 15 min. incubation in vivo. Most experiments were done in rats prepared with two tied intestinal loops; one of these served as the control loop and the other as the stimulated loop. The surfactants (mmol/l) included dodecylsulphate (17), dioctylsulphosuccinate (5.6), cetrimonium bromide (4.1), deoxycholic acid (2.4 and 3.6) and Lubrol WX (0.5% w/v). Theophylline (10 mmol/l) caused a substantial increase in cAMP (110%±17, n=7 and 60%±8.9, n=10, respectively) and dodecylsulphate a minor and transitory increase (28.1%±3.8, n=10 and 11.7%±4.9, n=8). The other agents were without stimulatory effect on cAMP, allthough like dodecylsulphate they may significantly affect normal intestinal cation and glucose transport under these conditions. The results, therefore, do not suggest that stimulation of cAMP and intestinal secretion induced thereby is any significant phenomenon in the overall hydragogue effect of these agents, at least not in short term jejunal experiments.