The effects of experimentally induced hyperosmolality has been studied in rats. Renal vascular pedicle ligation was performed on all animals to prevent renal clearance of the infused solute, xylose, and allow accurate ECF space determinations with 51Cr EDTA. Small volume hyperosmolar xylose infusions caused parallel elevation of the osmolality of thoracic duct lymph and arterial plasma. A positive correlation was obtained between lymph osmolality and flow alterations. The maximal osmolality elevation of 22 mosm X kg-1 H2O was associated with an intracellular fluid mobilisation which was equal to 7.1% of the ECF space. The infused and mobilised fluid volumes were distributed unequally between the intra and extra vascular compartments of the ECF.