Plasma volumes, blood volumes, and plasma total protein, albumin, and bilirubin concentrations have been determined in rats for 72 h following 20 or 40 mL kg-1 haemodilution with Fluosol-DA or 0.9% NaCl. Haemodilution with 20 mL kg-1 of either haemodiluent had no influence on the measured values. Plasma and blood volumes did not change after Fluosol-DA haemodilution at 40 mL kg-1, but albumin and bilirubin concentrations were decreased for 72 h. Only bilirubin concentrations were decreased for 72 h following haemodilution with 40 mL kg-1 of 0.9% NaCl. It was concluded that changes in a drug's plasma protein binding, and not the plasma or blood volume, are responsible for the reported alterations in a drug's apparent volume of distribution after haemodilution.