The purpose of this study was to investigate distal nephron hydrogen ion secretion in the intact animal. The rabbit was chosen as the experimental model because it produces acid urine containing little ammonium. Upon replacement of the usual rabbit diet with milk, plus administration of an acid load (10 mEq/kg), the urine pH fell consistently from very alkaline values (PH greater than 7.4) to 4.8 +/- 0.2. Despite the ability to achieve high urine-to-blood hydrogen ion concentration gradients, the U-B PCO2, an index of collecting duct hydrogen ion secretion, was virtually zero. In these studies, the urine bicarbonate and buffer concentration were comparable to those observed in dog, rat, and man in which a high U-B PCO2 gradient was achieved. The rabbits studied had low plasma potassium concentrations (less than 3 mEq/L). Since potassium deficiency has been implicated in impaired urine acidification, potassium was administered, and it resulted in an increase in collecting duct hydrogen ion secretion as evidenced by a further fall in minimum urine pH during acidemia and a prompt rise in the U-B PCO2 during alkali administration. In summary, rabbits had a very low but not absent rate of collecting duct hydrogen ion secretion. Potassium administration increased the rate of hydrogen ion secretion in a segment of the collecting duct in which hydrogen ion secretion is reflected by an increase U-B PCO2.