The intracellular pH (pHi) of tissue-cultured bovine lens epithelial cells was measured in small groups of 6 to 10 cells using the trapped fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis-(2-,carboxyethyl)-5 (and 6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). When perifused at 35 degrees C with artificial aqueous humour solution (AAH) containing 16 mM HCO3- and 5% CO2, pH 7.25, pH(i) was 7.19 +/- 0.02 (SEM, n = 95). On removing HCO3- and CO2 there was an initial transient alkalinization followed by a fall in pH to a steady value of 6.97 +/- 0.03 (SEM, n = 54). Addition of 0.25 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) to AAH containing HCO3- and CO2 led to a rapid and pronounced fall in pH. Exposure to Na(+)-free AAH again led to a marked fall in pH(i), but in this case the addition of DIDS did not produce a further fall. Substitution of the impermeant anion gluconate for Cl- in the presence of HCO3- led to a rise in pHi, while substitution in the absence of HCO3- led to a fall in pHi. The above data indicate a significant role for a sodium-dependent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange mechanism in the regulation of pHi. Addition of 1 mM amiloride to control AAH in both the presence and absence of HCO3- led to a marked fall in pH(i), indicating that a Na+/H+ exchange mechanism also has a significant role in the regulation of pHi.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)