Administration of human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, 100 micrograms/kg/day, s.c) to rats for 4 days significantly increased circulating neutrophil counts (by 1130%), together with an increase in mononuclear leukocyte counts (by 119%). Infiltrated pleural neutrophil counts in G-CSF-treated rats (G-CSF-r) 5 h after the intrapleural injection of zymosan-activated serum were significantly higher (by 155%) than those in control rats (Vehicle-r). In carrageenin-induced pleurisy, counts of infiltrated pleural neutrophils in G-CSF-r 5 and 7 h after carrageenin were significantly higher (by 119% and 116%) than those in Vehicle-r. G-CSF treatment increased the volume of pleural exudate and the plasma exudation rate by 122% and 226%, compared to values in Vehicle-r 5 h after carrageenin. Cobra venom factor (75 micrograms/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced pleural neutrophil migration in G-CSF-r (by 53%) and Vehicle-r (by 49%). Bromelain (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and aspirin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced pleural neutrophil migration and reduced exudate volume and plasma exudation. Intrapleural bradykinin-(1-5) and prostaglandin E2 levels were significantly higher in G-CSF-r than in Vehicle-r. The increased neutrophil migration in G-CSF-r may be attributed to enhanced activation of the complement system facilitated by increased plasma exudation due to bradykinin and prostaglandins.