The effects of (1-desamino-8-D-arginine) vasopressin (dDAVP) on water and electrolyte transport in the distal tubule were investigated by micropuncture. Since, in addition to antidiuretic hormone, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and glucagon stimulate the adenylate-cyclase system in this nephron segment, experiments were performed on hormone-deprived rats, i.e. homozygous DI Brattleboro rats with reduced levels of endogenous parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and glucagon. Along the distal tubule, dDAVP enhanced water, Cl, Na and Ca reabsorption and sharply increased net K secretion. Phosphate transport was left unchanged and Mg reabsorption was not significantly altered by dDAVP between the early and late distal tubule. Antidiuretic hormone also slightly increased water filtration rate in the superficial nephron, which rose in proportion to whole kidney glomerular filtration rate. It is concluded that, in rats: antidiuretic hormone stimulates water, NaCl and Ca absorption and enhances K secretion along the distal tubule and the tubular effects of dDAVP on electrolyte transport in the loop and distal tubule are responsible for decreasing Mg and Ca urinary excretion.