Acini (alveoli) from lactating rat mammary gland responded to increasing levels of calcium or calcium ionophore A23187 with increased protein synthesis and secretion. 2. Inclusion of dibutyryl cyclic AMP in incubation medium with calcium or calcium ionophore decreased protein synthesis but increased rate of protein secretion . 3. Calcium ionophore increased both rates of calcium uptake by acini and levels of intracellular calcium. 4. These results suggest a relationship between calcium and cyclic AMP in milk protein synthesis and secretion.