We compared the superoxide anion generating capacity of subcellular fractions from the lungs of neonatal and adult rats. Microsomal and mitochondrial fractions from adult rats produced approximately three times more superoxide (nanomoles per minute per milligram protein) than fractions from neonatal rats in the presence of 100% O2. Subcellular superoxide anion generating capacity was also examined in adult and neonatal rats exposed to greater than 95% fractional concentration of O2 in inspired gas. The O2- produced by mitochondrial and microsomal fractions of adult and neonatal rats increased above control levels for the first 24 h and declined below control values after 48 h of exposure in adults, whereas the elevated O2- production was sustained in microsomal fractions of neonates through 60 h. During the course of hyperoxic exposure, the largest difference in the superoxide generating capacity between adult and neonate was observed after 8-24 h of hyperoxia. The microsomal and mitochondrial fractions from adult rats produced three to seven times more O2- compared with neonatal rats. Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased during the course of hyperoxia only in neonates at 8, 24, and 48 h of exposure. No change was observed in the activity of Mn SOD. The ratio of SOD activity (units per lung) to subcellular superoxide generating capacity (nanomoles per minute per lung) was calculated for the normal adults and neonates. The ratio for adult rats averaged 23 and 17 for mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, respectively, and 51 for neonatal rats for both subcellular fractions under normoxic conditions. These results suggest that O2- tolerance of neonates may be explained by the favorable balance between antioxidant defenses and subcellular superoxide generating capacity. The role of increased activity of Cu,Zn SOD as an accompanying or a causative phenomenon in O2 tolerance of neonates could not be determined from these experiments.