Three prostaglandin F2alpha-catabolizing enzyme activities have been demonstrated in kidneys from adult rats. Activity of each of the enzymes varied with animal age. Whereas 15-hydroxydehydrogenase and delta13-reductase appeared important to the early developing kidney (prior to 4 weeks of age), 9-hydroxydehydrogenase appeared to be characteristic of the adult kidney. Prostaglandin 15-hydroxydehydrogenase rose sharply after birth to a maximal value at 19 days (59-fold relative to the adult) decreasing to adult values by Day 40. Prostaglandin delta13-reductase followed a similar pattern rising about 20-fold at Day 19. Prostaglandin 9-hydroxydehydrogenase, on the other hand, was undetectable up to Day 19, rising gradually to adult values by Day 50. Prostaglandin biosynthesis in whole kidney and renal papilla at the peak period of 15-hydroxydehydrogenase activity, i.e. 19, 22, and 24 days, did not vary significally from adult values. The dramatic rise in 15-hydroxydehydrogenase activity, reflecting an important requirement for prostaglandin inactivation during the first 3 weeks after birth, appears to correlate well with the increase during this period in the number of glomeruli, cortical tubules, and redistribution of blood flow to the cortex. These results suggest for the first time an important relationship between prostaglandin catabolizing activites and nephrogenesis.