We have investigated the neural and local vascular effects on vessel length and surface area per unit volume in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) by quantitative stereology. Fourteen SHR and 14 KWY (70-130 g) were anesthetized with chloralose-urethan, and the cremaster muscle was exposed for microscopic observation. The large arterioles entering the muscle were termed the first order, and consecutive branches were termed second-, third-, and fourth-order arterioles. The data were collected in three consecutive states: innervated, denervated, and vasodilated with nitroprusside. The third- and fourth-order arteriole and capillary lengths per unit volume in the SHR were less than those of the WKY in all three states. The vessel surface area per unit volume was also reduced in the SHR. Denervation and sodium nitroprusside (Nipride) resulted in larger percent increases in vessel length and surface area in the SHR than in the WKY. We conclude that in the SHR cremaster muscle there are fewer terminal arterioles and capillaries anatomically present, and, under resting conditions, a greater percentage but similar absolute number of them are closed to flow.