A saturation inversion projection (SIP) spin-echo technique is reported which allows a reliable direct visualization of the urogenital system as well as its functional performance in magnetic resonance imaging. We used an imaging sequence with a 90 degree saturation pulse and two 180 degree inversion pulses followed by a short spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence. The three time intervals in the 90 degree-180 degree-180 degree-SE pulse train were adjusted to suppress the signals of soft tissues and fat. After intravenous injection of the contrast agent Gd-DTPA, a shortening of the kidney T1 and the T1 of the urogenital system is obtained below the T1 values of fat and soft tissues, and these remaining ultra-short T1 tissues were imaged with the SIP sequence. Using a sequential measuring technique a quantitative evaluation of the glomerular filtration rate seems to be possible with a time resolution of 18 sec per image. In addition, magnetic resonance urography using the SIP sequence provided a good visualization of the urogenital system and may show several clinical utilities in further clinical studies.