After uninephrectomy in the young rat, renal blood flow (RBF) increases at normal renal perfusion pressure (RPP) but not at reduced RPP. To evaluate the role of endogenous prostaglandins on these effects, RBF was measured during reduction in RPP in rats that were uninephrectomized within 1 wk of age and studied at 33-41 days of age. After acute cyclooxygenase inhibition, autoregulation improved; RBF was unchanged at normal RPP but increased at lower pressures with concomitant decrease in renal venous plasma renin activity (PRA). Prostaglandin inhibition also improved autoregulatory efficiency in acutely uninephrectomized and sham-operated young rats. Infusion of a thromboxane synthesis inhibitor had no effect on the pressure-flow relationship or on PRA, whereas angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition increased RBF at all measured RPP without affecting autoregulation. We conclude that increased RBF at normal RPP in the uninephrectomized young rat is not maintained by increased prostaglandin synthesis or decreased thromboxane- or angiotensin-dependent vasoconstriction. However, by maintaining increased vasoconstriction at reduced RPP, prostaglandin-dependent renin release reduces autoregulatory efficiency in the young rat.