The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of adenosine on the microvasculature of the hamster kidney and the possibility of angiotensin II mediation. Renal tissue from neonatal hamsters was grafted into the cheek pouch of 33 adult hamsters. Seven to twelve days later the renal microcirculation was studied. Adenosine was tested on the pre- and postglomerular arterioles as well as on cheek pouch arterioles before and after applying an AII antagonist, saralasin. Adenosine dilated the cheek pouch arterioles and constricted the preglomerular arterioles in a dose-dependent manner. Adenosine had no effect on postglomerular arterioles. The renal vasoconstriction persisted as long as adenosine was present. Theophylline reduced the adenosine-mediated vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole in a dose-dependent manner. These changes were not altered in the presence of saralasin at various doses, one of which was 20-fold greater than that required to abolish the vasoconstrictor response of a test dose of angiotensin II. This study indicates that the adenosine-mediated vasoconstriction of the preglomerular microvessels is not mediated via the renin-angiotensin system but may be a direct effect of adenosine.