An abnormal rightward shift of the pressure-natriuresis curve is a well known feature of the renal function in hypertension. The participation of intrinsic neural factors in the kidney in this phenomenon was investigated in anesthetized young and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). At 7-8 wk of age, the renal pressure-diuresis curve and pressure-natriuresis curve were shifted to the left in denervated SHR compared with innervated animals. Fractional excretion of sodium was higher, and plasma renin activity was lower in denervated SHR. Glomerular filtration rate was not affected by renal denervation. In 13- to 15-wk-old SHR, renal denervation did not affect the pressure-diuresis and -natriuresis curves, although other parameters were changed compared with the results at 7-8 wk. In Wistar-Kyoto rats, the pressure-diuresis curve was shifted to the left by renal denervation at both ages. These results suggest that the renal nerves have an important effect on the renal pressure-diuresis and -natriuresis curves. However, renal innervation cannot be thought to cause an abnormal rightward shift of the pressure-diuresis and -natriuresis curves in SHR, especially in the established stage of hypertension.