The inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) is a major target site of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) for diuresis and natriuresis, and it is in a hypertonic condition made by the renal countercurrent multiplication system. We investigated the effects of hyperosmolality on ANP-stimulated cGMP generation in IMCD and glomerulus. Hypertonic solutions (490 and 690 mOsm/kg.H2O) were made by adding NaCl or urea to isotonic solution (290 mOsm/kg.H2O). Hypertonicity of 490 mOsm/kg.H2O using NaCl reduced both ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity (from 7.7 +/- 1.1 to 4.1 +/- 0.5 fmol/mm/5 min) and cGMP generation (from 1.35 +/- 0.18 to 0.48 +/- 0.20 fmol/mm/3 min) in IMCD. Hypertonicity of 690 mOsm/kg.H2O using NaCl did not further reduce ANP-stimulated cGMP generation in IMCD. Hypertonicity using urea also inhibited ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity and cGMP generation in IMCD. On the other hand, hypertonicity using NaCl stimulated AVP-stimulated cAMP generation in IMCD, while hypertonicity using urea reduced it. In glomeruli, hyperosmolality of 490 mOsm/kg.H2O using NaCl also reduced ANP-stimulated cGMP generation, and hypertonicity of 690 mOsm/kg.H2O using NaCl further reduced it. In summary, hyperosmolality using NaCl and urea inhibited ANP-sensitive guanylate cyclase activity and cGMP generation both in IMCD and glomeruli. However, the mechanisms at work may be different between NaCl and urea.