The role of extracellularly bound Ca in the activation of rabbit aorta by the PGH<sub>2 </sub>analogue U-44069 was assessed using <sup>45</sup>Ca flux determinations. The <sup>45</sup>Ca influx process, which is activated by U-44069, was found to exhibit two phases: an initial rapid phase which was transient and a slower phase which was sustained. The <sup>45</sup>Ca-<sup>40</sup>Ca exchange labeling rate of the Ca pool which enters the cell during the initial phase of Ca influx was found to be much slower than that of the free extracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup>, but quite similar to that of an extracellularly bound Ca pool. These findings suggest that an extracellularly bound Ca pool, possibly located on the outer surface of the plasmalemma, is involved in the U-44069-stimulated Ca influx process.