We used a fluorescence differential display--PCR (FDD-PCR) technique to analyze the genes expressed in mouse kidneys collected at nine different developmental stages ranging from 3 days to 15 months after birth. We found ten genes that were age-dependent and differentially-expressed in the kidneys during our experimental period. We confirmed by comparative RT-PCR that of the ten cDNAs, seven showed reproducible age-dependent expression. Four of the nucleotide sequences of these cDNA clones, had high homology with known genes (fibronectin, soluble guanylyl cyclase alpha-1 subunit, cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase and mitochondrial DNA), and three with expressed sequence tags of unknown genes. The FDD-PCR method was very useful for detecting new age-related genes expressed differentially in the mouse kidney.