To study the nature of adrenergic stimulation of ions and water reabsorption in the newt renal distal tubule, stationary microperfusion of the nephron and electron probe analysis were used. After application of norepinephrine (NE 10(-6) M) to the tubule surface, the fractional reabsorption of fluid increased from 15.0 +/- 3.1 to 41.30 +/- 10.4% (n = 7, p < 0.01), of Na+ from 69.30 +/- 6.6 to 79.10 +/- 7.5% (p < 0.05), Cl- from 63.30 +/- 7.6 to 72.40 +/- 7.9% (p < 0.05). Instead of secretion (control), there was reabsorption of K+. Fractional reabsorption of Ca2+ decreased from 51.00 +/- 6.0 to 43.00 +/- 7.0% (p < 0.05). The nonspecific alpha-adrenergic antagonist dibenamine 10(-6) M completely inhibited the effect of NE while, under the action of propranolol (2 x 10(-6) M) NE increased ion and water reabsorption significantly. When applied alone, or with NE, the specific alpha 2-adrenoblocker idazoxan, 2 x 10(-6) M, did not interfere with reabsorption in the distal tubule. At the same time, under the action of alpha 1-adrenoblocker prazosin 2 x 10(-6) M NE, increased the fractional reabsorption of fluid from 24.10 +/- 3.4 to 44.40 +/- 4.0% (n = 6, p < 0.001). These results serve as evidence that there exist specific alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the newt distal tubule the stimulation of which increases membrane permeability of the distal tubule to water, Na+, K+, Cl-, but not to Ca2+.