The binding of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) to basolateral membranes isolated from renal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and stroke-prone SHR (SHR-SP) was measured at 0 degree C and compared with that of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The binding of 125I-alpha-hANP in SHR and SHR-SP at 14-15 weeks old demonstrated different binding profiles compared with that in WKY, though there were no apparent differences of the profiles among WKY, SHR and SHR-SP at 5 weeks old. For the high affinity binding sites, the apparent dissociation constant and the maximal binding capacity in SHR and SHR-SP were significantly decreased in comparison with those in WKY. The present data suggest that the altered characteristics of specific receptors for atrial natriuretic polypeptide in SHR and SHR-SP may be involved in the development or maintenance of genetic hypertension.