Active and inactive renin were measured in individual juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) and in whole kidney homogenates. The morphology of the JGA was examined in microbiopsy glomerular specimens and in kidneys fixed by arterial perfusion. In rats on high and normal salt intake the total renin content of a single JGA was 14 (s.e.m. = 3) and 29 (s.e.m. = 4) ng AI/h, respectively. The amount of cystoplasm occupied by renin granules was 20% and 27%. Crystalline cores were seen in 1.5% and 7% of the granules, respectively. Increased delivery of NaCl to the macula densa did not alter total renin, but decreased inactive renin from 30% to 0, crystalline core-containing cells from 33% to 14% and decreased the percentage of granules with crystalline cores from 12% to 2.2%. Increased sodium in the diet and increased delivery of NaCl to the macula densa decreased the proportion of renin present in the inactive form and decreased the proportion of crystalline cores. These coincidental alterations suggest that crystalline cores contain inactive renin and suggest that the delivery of sodium to the macula densa activates renin.