Urinary immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels decrease, and renal immunoreactive EGF levels increase in rats with ischaemic acute renal failure (ARF). We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of EGF and EGF receptor in rabbits with ischaemic ARF to clarify the significance of renal EGF. Male New Zealand White rabbits underwent right nephrectomy prior to a 60 min renal artery clamp. At 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after ischaemia, serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were determined. Guinea pig anti-rabbit EGF antibody and monoclonal anti-EGF receptor antibody were used for the primary incubation. EGF was immunolocalized to the ascending limb of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule in the normal right kidneys. However, in the post ischaemic left kidneys at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h, immunoreactivity of EGF was associated with proximal tubules. In the normal kidneys, antibody to EGF receptor reacted with distal tubules and collecting ducts. In the ischaemic kidneys, EGF receptor was localized in the basolateral membrane in the proximal tubules. The expression of EGF and EGF receptor in renal tubules may play an important role in repair following ischaemic renal damage.