Analogues ofarginine vasotocin with replacement of amino acids in 4, 7 and 8 positions of the hormone were synthesized. After water loading the injection of 1 x 10(-12) mol per 100 g BW 1-deamino-8-homoarginine vasotocin, 1-deamino-4-threonine-8-arginine vasotocin and 1-deamino-4-threonine-8-D-arginine vasotocin increased solute-free water reabsorption, but did not affect cations excretion (Na, K, Ca, Mg). Presence of glycine in 9th position and proline in 7th position ofa vasotocin molecule is essential for hormone interaction with a V2-receptor. In rats, injection of 5 x 10(-11) mol 1-deamino-8-homoarginine vasotocin or 1-deamino-4-threonine-8-arginine vasotocin dramatically increased urinary sodium and potassium excretion and enforced osmotically free water reabsorption but very little affected urinary magnesium and calcium excretion. The injection in the same dose of other synthesized vasotocin analogues did not affect the cations excretion. The issue of physiological mechanisms of kidney's selective response related to water, one- and bivalent cations excretion after injection of vasotocin analogues is discussed. Inhibition of cations transport is associated with activation of any V-receptor (but not V2-receptor). This effect takes place only in presence of L-arginine instead of D-arginine in the analogue.