1. The concentrations of free ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), Pi, H+ and ADP (calculated) were monitored in perfused rat hearts by 31P n.m.r. before and during positive inotropic stimulation. Data were accumulated in 20 s blocks. 2. Administration of 0.1 microM-(-)-isoprenaline resulted in no significant changes in ATP, transient decreases in PCr, and transient increases in ADP and Pi. However, the concentrations of all of these metabolites returned to pre-stimulated values within 1 min, whereas cardiac work and O2 uptake remained elevated. 3. In contrast, in hearts perfused continuously with Ruthenium Red (2.5 micrograms/ml), a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, administration of isoprenaline caused significant decreases in ATP, and also much larger and more prolonged changes in the concentrations of ADP, PCr and Pi. In this instance values did not fully return to pre-stimulated concentrations. Administration of Ruthenium Red alone to unstimulated hearts had minor effects. 4. It is proposed that, in the absence of Ruthenium Red, the transmission of changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ across the mitochondrial inner membrane is able to maintain the phosphorylation potential of the heart during positive inotropic stimulation, through activation of the Ca2+-sensitive intramitochondrial dehydrogenases (pyruvate, NAD+-isocitrate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenases) leading to enhanced NADH production. 5. This mechanism is unavailable in the presence of Ruthenium Red, and oxidative phosphorylation must be stimulated primarily by a fall in phosphorylation potential, in accordance with the classical concept of respiratory control. However, the full oxidative response of the heart to stimulation may not be achievable under such circumstances.