Effects of synthetic atrial natriuretic peptide and furosemide on the cardiovascular and renal functions were examined in the freshwater turtle, Amyda japonica. Both atria and ventricle of turtle contained an immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide. Synthetic rat atrial natriuretic peptide (atriopeptin III) and turtle atrial extract caused a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure and the vasodepressor effect was dose-dependent. In hydrated turtles received either atriopeptin III or turtle atrial extract, no significant change in renal function was observed until 100 min except a slight natriuresis at 60 or 100 min after injection of 30 ug/kg atriopeptin III or atrial extract, respectively. However, furosemide, 2 mg/kg, caused marked diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. In non-hydrated turtles, no significant change in renal function was observed until 6 hrs following injection of 30 ug/kg atriopeptin III. Plasma aldosterone decreased at 2 hr and increased at 24 hr after injection of atriopeptin III although plasma renin concentration did not change. But, furosemide caused persistent diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. Additionally, plasma aldosterone and renin concentrations were significantly increased at 24 hrs after injection of furosemide. In conclusion, we suggest that the freshwater turtle may have an atrial natriuretic peptide in heart and vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide, and that atrial natriuretic peptide is more important in the regulation of blood pressure rather than that of renal function in freshwater turtles. We also suggest that an increased plasma renin concentration caused by furosemide may not be due to the sodium concentration delivered to macula densa, but due to the dehydration caused by persistent diuresis and natriuresis.