1. When castor oil was administered by gavage to rats, the duodenum and jejunum but not ileum and colon produced large amounts (5-6 fold greater than control) of platelet activating factor (Paf). 2. Intraluminal release of acid phosphatase (AP) was also markedly increased (5-6 fold greater than control) in the duodenum and jejunum of castor oil-treated rats and there was a correlation between the elevated release of AP and intestinal hyperaemia. 3. These findings support a role for Paf as a mediator of intestinal damage induced by castor oil.