Urinary diluting ability and protein abundance of renal aquaporins (AQPs) and ion transporters in glucocorticoid-deficient (GD) rats were examined at baseline and in response to oral water loading. Rats underwent bilateral adrenalectomy followed by aldosterone (GD) or aldosterone + dexamethasone (CTL) replacement. Before oral water loading, urinary output was significantly decreased and urinary osmolality (U(osm)) was increased in GD compared with CTL rats. Protein abundance of inner medullary AQP2 (148 +/- 18%), phosphorylated AQP2 (pAQP2, 156 +/- 13%), and AQP3 (145 +/- 8%) was significantly upregulated in GD compared with CTL rats (all P < 0.05). GD rats also demonstrated a marked reduction in urinary Na(+) excretion compared with pair-fed CTL rats. Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter, Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 3, and cortical beta- and gamma-subunits of the epithelial Na(+) channel were significantly upregulated in GD rats. At 1 h after an acute water load (40 ml/kg by oral gavage), GD rats demonstrated a decrease in percent water excretion (5 +/- 1 vs. 33 +/- 9%, P < 0.01) and urinary output (33 +/- 12 vs. 250 +/- 65 microl x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.05) and an increase in U(osm) (1,894 +/- 292 vs. 316 +/- 92 mosmol/kgH(2)O, P < 0.001) compared with CTL rats. Plasma AVP was increased (1.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2 pg/ml, P < 0.05), as was protein expression of inner medullary AQP2 (149 +/- 5%) and pAQP2 (177 +/- 9%, P < 0.01), in GD compared with CTL rats; apical expression of AQP2 was maintained in GD rats. The vasopressin V(2) receptor antagonist OPC-31260 increased percent water excretion and urinary output and reduced U(osm) compared with vehicle-treated GD rats. OPC-31260 also reversed the increased abundance and apical trafficking of inner medullary AQP2 and pAQP2 protein in GD rats. In conclusion, enhanced protein abundance of Na(+) transporters and Na(+) channels with Na(+) retention occurred with GD. OPC-31260 reversed upregulation and apical trafficking of AQP2 and pAQP2 in association with improved urinary diluting capacity and increased water excretion after oral water loading.