To determine if an increase in the endogenous secretion of parathyroid hormone could decrease sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule, the ionized calcium concentration of blood perfusing the parathyroid gland of eight unilaterally thyroid parathyroidectomized dogs (TPTX) was reduced by infusion of an isotonic sodium citrate plus sodium chloride solution into the blood supply of the parathyroid gland. The fractional clearance of phosphate increased significantly (+9.3 +/- 2.8 ml/min per 100 ml GFR), while fractional sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule decreased (-.06 +/- .02; P less than .025). In seven normal control dogs that received isotonic sodium chloride infusion, neither fractional sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule nor the fractional clearance of phosphate was significantly altered. In five bilaterally TPTX dogs that received a sodium citrate plus sodium chloride infusion, sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule was not significantly altered. There were no significant changes in glomerular filtration rate or renal plasma flow in any of these groups. The data demonstrate that alterations in endogenous parathyroid hormone secretion can play a significant role in the regulation of sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubule.