The effects of aluminum (Al) on the renal handling of phosphate (Pi) were studied by clearance techniques in the presence and absence of endogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH) and after Pi infusion. In all groups, a 1-h control period was followed by three 1-h experimental periods in which controls continued to receive saline and experimental animals received Al. Glomerular filtration rate, urine flow rate, and plasma sodium (Na) were not significantly changed between periods in any group. In the presence of endogenous PTH, the fractional excretion of phosphate (FEPi) increased significantly after 3 h of Al infusion (6.1 +/- 0.9 to 15.0 +/- 1.8%, P less than 0.05, n = 8), but not in controls (n = 7), while plasma calcium and Pi decreased, suggesting a PTH effect. However, in acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats the FEPi also increased significantly after 3 h of Al infusion (4.3 +/- 3.0 to 10.6 +/- 4.2%, P less than 0.05, n = 7), but not in controls (n = 6). In TPTX rats infused with Pi where plasma Pi was increased to 10 mg/dl, FEPi increased significantly after 2 and 3 h of Al (7.0 +/- 1.4 to 15.5 +/- 2.1 to 16.9 +/- 2.2%, P less than 0.01, n = 15), but not in controls (n = 8). In this group, changes in FEPi were accompanied by a small but significant increase in FENa but not urinary cAMP. Blood pH was not significantly different between saline and Al-infused rats. These studies indicate that Al infusion inhibits renal Pi reabsorption by a mechanism independent of PTH, blood pH, or cAMP.