The oxygen tension (PO2) in the rat kidney was studied by modified Clark microelectrodes. Changes in PO2 were measured in the renal cortex and outer medulla after intravenous injections of the X-ray contrast medium (CM) diatrizoate, 370 mg iodine/mg body weight. Injection of diatrizoate caused a slight fall in PO2 in the renal cortex (from 42 +/- 4 to 38 +/- 4 mm Hg). In the medulla PO2 decreased significantly (from 34 +/- 6 to 20 +/- 4 mm Hg). Ringer's solution did not induce any changes.