It is well established that renin release from the juxtaglomerular epithelioid cells in the media of the afferent arteriole strongly depends on the mean renal perfusion pressure, whereas a possible influence of the pulsation of blood pressure on renin release has only occasionally been investigated, and the results are contradictory. Such an influence on renin release cannot be excluded because pulsation is known to modulate arterial baroreceptors and vascular tone in some resistance vessels. In the isolated perfused rat kidney, we found a pulsation amplitude-dependent inhibition of renin release that could be blocked either by vasodilatation or by calcium channel blockade. The inhibition occurred at perfusion pressures between 85 and 125 mm Hg. The underlying pulsation pressure-sensitive mechanism has to be ascribed integrating properties, because a constant-flow pressure rise to the "systolic" value of pulsatile perfusion resulted in virtually the same inhibition of renin release. Moreover, a reduced urine flow during pulsatile perfusion provides evidence for preglomerular constriction under these conditions. It is concluded that, besides pathological changes of renal perfusion pressure, variations of the pulse amplitudes, e.g. resulting from renal artery stenosis or atherosclerosis, may also influence renin release and contribute to renovascular hypertension.