Recently, it has been reported that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) reverses or prevents acute renal failure induced by norepinephrine in rats. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that vasoconstrictor doses of arginine vasopressin (VP) can induce renal ischemia and that consequent renal dysfunction is reversed by ANP infusion or bolus injections in rats. Intrarenally infused VP produced a significant decrease of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and an increase of urinary volume and sodium excretion rate. Systemic blood pressure increased significantly during VP administration. In a second experimental period, ANP was also given intrarenally, control rats received isotonic saline solution. ANP infusion revealed a highly significant increment of GFR, urinary volume and sodium excretion. Blood pressure fell down below values of the preperiod. After cessation of ANP infusion, renal function was reduced again. These results indicate that VP induces a nonoliguric acute renal failure which is reversed by ANP infusion but only at the time of its administration.