A study was performed investigating the daily patterns of hormone release accompanying changes in fluid balance in the male rat during 48 h of dehydration. The blood volume decreased by 18%, the largest change occurring during the initial period when the rats showed an effective loss of body sodium. During the second day of dehydration, sodium retention was again seen. Plasma sodium concentrations showed a progressive increase, the total rise being 5-6%; the greatest changes were seen during the dark phases of the cycle which may be due to the nocturnal food intake. Plasma vasopressin and oxytocin concentrations were significantly elevated throughout dehydration to levels which could be reproduced by acutely increasing plasma sodium and decreasing blood volume to the same extent. The observed increases were influenced by the phase of the day-night cycle, being greatest over the dark phases of the cycle. The overall increases were greatest when dehydration commenced at the start of the dark phase. Dehydration initially led to a rise in plasma corticosterone concentrations, whilst plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide were decreased. Plasma angiotensin II concentrations rose significantly during the later period of sodium retention.