In a previous study we have shown that the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium was different according to the circadian stage at which the glands were removed. This difference may be explained by circadian changes in calcium channel function. Therefore in the present study we documented the effects of calcium channel blockers in perifused rat pineal glands removed in the middle of the light and dark spans (7 and 19 HALO (hours after light onset), in a L/D 12:12 regimen). Moreover, we have studied the effect of calcium channel blockers on adrenergically stimulated pineal glands removed 7 HALO. Inorganic (Co2+ and Cd2+) and organic (nifedipine and diltiazem) calcium channel blockers at 10(-4) mol/l all significantly reduced melatonin production and this inhibition was more effective with the glands removed 7 HALO. In a concentration of 10(-)5 mol/l, only Cd2+ and diltiazem reduced melatonin production significantly in pineal glands removed 7 HALO. Verapamil at 10(-4) and 10(-5) mol/l showed no significant effect on melatonin production in glands removed both during the light and dark spans. Mn2+ at 10(-4) mol/l (but not at 10[-5] mol/l) appeared to stimulate melatonin production in glands removed both during the light and the dark (significant increase only with glands removed during the dark). Cobalt showed an immediate short inhibitory effect on both isoproterenol and norepinephrine-stimulated melatonin release, whereas nifedipine showed a significant inhibition only on isoproterenol-stimulated melatonin release. These results strongly suggest a circadian stage dependence of the pineal gland response to some calcium channel blockers and the involvement of calcium in the release of melatonin from pinealocytes.