Concentration dependent calcium fluxes across the colon descendens of the rat were measured in a modified Ussing chamber. Mucosa (m) to serosa (s) calcium flux showed a saturable component, whereas s to m calcium flux was linearly related to the calcium concentration. At low calcium concentrations net absorption and at concentration above 2.5 mmol/l net secretion of calcium was observed. The results obtained from the unidirectional calcium fluxes when clamping the transepithelial electrical potential agree well with those of the concentration dependence of the calcium fluxes: Only m to s flux has a voltage independent component. Calcium s to m movement is totally voltage dependent. Diffusional s to m calcium flux is greater than the diffusional fraction of the m to s calcium flow. Dexamethasone, known to stimulate water absorption in the colon descendens by an activation of sodium transport, had no effect on the cellular mediated m to s calcium transport but significantly increased paracellular s to m flux parallel to that of the extracellular marker mannitol. This increase in paracellular s to m calcium and mannitol flux was completely abolished by amiloride, which is known to suppress the dexamethasone-induced stimulation in sodium and water absorption. The results demonstrate that the increased paracellular s to m calcium and mannitol flow is oppositely directed to the dexamethasone-induced net fluid movement as it could be expected on the basis of Ussing's "anomalous solvent drag" effect.