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We investigated the influence of acute volume expansion on the hemodynamic and renal responses to the constant infusion of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) (alpha-human ANP, 2 micrograms/kg bolus, 0.2 microgram.kg-1.min-1) in rabbits anesthetized with ketamine and acepromazine. The effects of the peptide were evaluated in 12 euvolemic rabbits and in 15 rabbits during the steady-state phase of volume expansion (0.9% NaCl 4.5 ml/min for 60 min). In the euvolemic animals, ANF caused an increase in natriuresis and a reduction in blood pressure (BP), which was associated with a decrease in cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and no significant changes in central venous pressure (CVP), peripheral hematocrit (Hct), and heart rate (HR). When the peptide was infused in the volume-expanded animals, the effects of ANF on BP and HR were comparable with those observed in the euvolemic animals. However, in these animals the ANF-induced changes in CO, SV, CVP, and Hct were significantly greater than those observed in the euvolemic group. In addition, the percent increases in diuresis and natriuresis were significantly smaller than those obtained in the euvolemic animals. In conclusion, volume expansion with saline potentiates the effects of ANF on systemic hemodynamics and blood volume.