Central tryptaminergic system has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of renal function: 5-HT1(5-hydroxytryptamine1) receptors might seem to mediate the diuresis and natriuresis, whereas the 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors mediate the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects. This study attempted to delineate the role of central 5-HT1A subtype in the regulation of rabbit renal function by observing the renal effects of intracerebroventricularly(icv)-administered PAPP(p-aminophenylethyl-m-trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine, LY165163), a selective agonist of 5-HT1A receptors. PAPP in doses ranging from 40 to 350 ㄍg/kg icv induced significantly diuresis, natriuresis, and kaliuresis, along with increased renal perfusion and glomerular filtration. Systemic blood pressure was also increased. Free water reabsorption(TcH2O), a measure of ADH(antidiuretic hormone) secretion, was increased also. Intravenous 350 ㄍg/kg of PAPP elicited antidiuresis and antinatriuresis together with decreased blood pressure, thus indicating that the effects of icv PAPP were brought about through the central mechanisms, not by direct peripheral effects of the drug on kidney. Ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, 40 ㄍg/kg icv, did not affect the renal effects of the icv PAPP. Methysergide, a non-selective 5-HT1 antagonist, also did not block the renal functional responses by the icv PAPP. NAN-190, a 5-HT1A antagonist, also did not antagonized the renal action of the icv PAPP. However the increased free water reabsorption was abolished by both methysergide or ketanserin pretreatment. The increments of blood pressure by icv PAPP was blocked only by NAN-190 pretreatment. These observations suggest that the central 5-HT1A receptor might be involved in the central regulation of rabbit renal function by exerting the diuretic and natriuretic influences.