The effects of acute bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) of 18-h duration on deep nephron and collecting duct function were studied by micropuncture in 11 weanling rats. After release of BUO glomerular filtration rate was reduced (178+/-15 vs. 1,343+/-119 mul/min per g kidney weight in shams), while urine flow was increased averaging 17.5+/-1.3 vs. 6.8+/-0.72 mul/min per g kidney weight in controls. There was a marked increase in the absolute and fractional excretion of Na. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate of deep nephrons was reduced in the BUO group, mean 19.4+/-3.5 vs. 77.0+/-7.7 nl/min per g kidney weight in shams. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate of superficial nephrons fell to the same extent after relief of BUO. Mean tubular fluid to plasma inulin ratio of fluid from Henle's loop was 2.46+/-0.20 after relief of BUO vs. 8.23+/-0.85 in shams. This suggested a reduction in the reabsorption of Na and water before the bend of the loop of Henle, most likely in both the proximal tubule and descending limb. Fluid osmolality was depressed due to a decline in both Na and nonelectrolyte solute content. After release of BUO the percentage of filtered water remaining in the collecting duct (CD) at the base of the papilla was greater than in controls (13.3+/-2.0 and 1.72+/-0.01%, respectively) but fell significantly by the tip of the papilla to 7.92+/-1.12 vs. 1.17+/-0.02% in controls. These results indicate that water was reabsorbed along the terminal CD after relief of ureteral obstruction. In fact, a greater fraction was reabsorbed in this segment after release of BUO (5.37+/-1.58%) than after sham operation (0.55+/-0.15%). Similar changes were seen in Na excretion. Thus alterations in deep nephron function appear to contribute to the natriuresis and diuresis which follow release of BUO while terminal CD function in this model appears intact.