Alterations in glomerular permeability were studied in female MWF/Ztm rats, newly selected from the Munich Wistar rats with a high number of superficial glomeruli. This strain is characterized by a diminished number of functioning nephrons, an elevated arterial blood pressure and a high proteinuria averaging 24 mg/24 h. Samples of Bowman capsular space (BCS) obtained by free-flow renal micropuncture techniques with pressure control were analyzed for albumin and high-molecular-weight (HMW) proteins by ultramicrodisc electrophoresis. The measured mean albumin and HMW protein concentration in BCS were 1.72 g/l and 0.66 g/l, respectively. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) averaged 0.74 ml/min/g kidney weight and the single nephron GFR (SNGFR) 48 nl/min. Ultrastructural studies revealed focal bleb-like alterations of the podocytes as has been observed in hyperfiltration states. We suggest that the reduced number of functioning nephrons in the kidneys of these rats could induce glomerular hyperfiltration and permselectivity changes, which cause a high glomerular protein leakage.