The purpose of this study was to examine the hepatocellular extraction of taurocholate and to determine the kinetic characteristics of the uptake process. The uptake of taurocholate by the liver of the intact dog was studied by the multiple-indicator dilution method. 51Cr-labeled red blood cells (a vascular indicator), 125I-labeled albumin (an extravascular reference), and [14C]taurocholate were injected into the portal vein. Different doses of unlabeled taurocholate were included in the injection mixture. Hepatic venous dilution curves were obtained. As a consequence of the hepatic uptake, the outflow recovery of [14C]taurocholate was much reduced when compared to that of albumin, but its recovery increased with increasing doses of taurocholate, suggesting a progressive saturation of the uptake process. The analysis of the dilution curves fitted a three-compartment model system well and no return of the extracted taurocholate to the extracellular space could be detected. The initial space of distribution of taurocholate was 1.22 plus or minus 0.12 (SD) times greater than that of albumin. Analysis of the data for uptake was consistent with Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The calculated initial maximal velocity of uptake (Vmax) was 4.53 mumol times s--1 times 100 g of liver--1 and the dose yielding half-maximal velocity (DK) was 7.11 mumol times 100 g of liver--1. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the uptake of taurocholate is carrier-mediated. The maximal vilocity of uptake was about six times the known maximal capacity of biliary secretion of taurocholate in the dog.