The influence of chronic angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade by specific antibody on the development of genetic hypertension was studied in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The immunization of 4-week-old SHR with a small part of the angiotensin AT1 receptor molecule attenuated the development of hypertension in these animals. After five subcutaneous injections of the antigen both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower (p < 0.005) in immunized SHR compared to sham-immunized SHR. No effect on blood pressure was seen in immunized Wistar-Kyoto control rats. We conclude that renin-angiotensin system might be partially involved in the development of hypertension in young spontaneously hypertensive rats because it can be attenuated by a specific antibody raised against a part of the angiotensin AT1 receptor.