When pancreatic acini are first incubated with cholecystokinin, washed to remove free cholecystokinin, and then reincubated in fresh incubation solution, there is a significant residual stimulation of amylase secretion. Butyryl derivatives of cyclic GMP can prevent as well as reverse this cholecystokinin-induced residual stimulation. At 37 degrees C the nucleotide-induced reversal is complete within a few minutes, but at 4 degrees C complete reversal requires 90 min of incubation. The ability of butyryl cyclic GMP to reverse cholecystokinin-induced residual stimulation is itself fully reversible, and the nucleotide-induced reversal is accompanied by restoration of full responsiveness to cholecystokinin. The ability of dibutyryl cyclic GMP to reverse cholecystokinin-induced residual stimulation appears to result from the ability of the nucleotide to displace cholecystokinin from its receptors in pancreatic acini.