Exaggerated natriuresis upon volume loading occurs in both human and animal hypertension and is mainly due to suppressed tubular reabsorption. To explore whether altered renal sympathetic activity contributes to this response, conscious male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were exposed to isotonic saline loading in comparison with normotensive male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKR). After a 60 min control hydropenic period, during which mean arterial pressure, heart rate, renal sympathetic nerve activity and urinary sodium excretion were followed, a 60 min period of intravenous volume expansion with isotonic saline (0.2 ml/min X 100 g b.w.) was started followed by a 60 min hydropenic recovery period. Already during the control period sodium excretion was significantly higher in SHR. During the volume load and subsequent recovery period a clearly exaggerated natriuresis occurred in SHR compared with WKR. Further, volume loading reduced renal sympathetic nerve activity in all animals, but significantly more in SHR. Moreover, volume loading reduced mean arterial pressure and heart rate in both groups. It is suggested that the accentuated reflex inhibition of renal sympathetic activity in SHR upon volume loading emanates from cardiac mechanoreceptors and partly explains the exaggerated natriuresis in SHR. This augmented "volume' reflex response is probably due to reduced systemic venous compliance in SHR with a consequently increased central filling and cardiac receptor activation.