LLC-PK1 cells have been shown to possess vasopressin (VP) receptors (V2 type) that are coupled to adenyl cyclase to generate adenosine 3,5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). To determine whether VP also stimulates phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis to generate inositol phosphate (IP) and diacylglycerol (DAG) messenger system in LLC-PK1 cells, we measured the release of IP in LLC-PK1 cells in the absence and presence of various concentrations of VP. In addition, we also determined the effect of an increase in osmolality of the incubation medium on VP-stimulated PI hydrolysis in LLC-PK1 cells. The methods involved the incubation of LLC-PK1 cells with [3H]inositol for its incorporation into membrane PI and the measurement of the release of [3H]IP in the presence of LiCl which prevents dephosphorylation. The osmolality of the incubation media was increased from 300 to 600, 900, and 1,200 mosmol/kgH2O by the addition of NaCl and urea. In an isosmotic incubation medium, VP (10(-8) M) produced a 100% increase in PI hydrolysis in LLC-PK1 cells. The effect was much greater at higher concentrations of the hormone. There was no effect of osmolality in VP-stimulated PI hydrolysis in LLC-PK1 cells up to 600 mosmol/kgH2O, but PI hydrolysis decreased significantly when the osmolality of the incubation medium was increased to 900 or 1,200 mosmol/kgH2O. Our results suggest that in LLC-PK1 cells, VP stimulates PI hydrolysis probably through VP receptors that are coupled to phospholipase C. Furthermore, VP-stimulated PI messenger system in LLC-PK1 cells is influenced by osmolality of the extracellular fluid.