To evaluate the possible physiological role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the observed dissociation of aldosterone from the renin-angiotensin system during acute hypoxia, 7 men, ages 18-27 yr, were studied on two separate days for 1 h under hypoxic (12% O2) and normoxic (room air) conditions. Subjects were on a low-salt diet (urinary sodium 67 +/- 13 meq/24 h) and suppressed with dexamethasone. Hemoglobin saturation decreased during hypoxemia to 68 +/- 1% (P less than 0.01), whereas heart rate increased from 65 +/- 3 to 89 +/- 5 beats/min (P less than 0.01). Plasma aldosterone levels decreased 43% from basal during hypoxemia (P less than 0.01), whereas ANF levels increased by 50% (P less than 0.05). Levels of both were unchanged during normoxemia. Plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, blood pressure, and pH did not change under either condition, and plasma cortisol levels were totally suppressed. These results indicate that acute hypoxemia is a potent stimulus for ANF release and that ANF is probably a major factor responsible for the dissociation of aldosterone from the renin-angiotensin system under these conditions.