AIM: To observe the changes of morphology, the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and membrane pump activities of spleen tissue in acute renal failure (ARF) rabbits, and to inquire into the role of spleen on pathogenesis of immune function disorders during ARF. METHODS: 42 rabbits were divided into control group, HgCl_2 group and glycerinum group. The ARF model was established by hypodermic injection of 1% HgCl_2 at dose of 1.3 mL/kg in HgCl_2 group, intramuscularly injection of 50% glycerinum at dose of 10 mL/kg in glycerinum group, respectively, and the animals were divided into the 12 h, 24 h, 48 h secondary groups (6 rabbits each group). At different time points, the rabbits were cannulated to facilitate the collection of blood sample to examine the biochemical indexes of renal function. The spleen microscopic sections were prepared for observing the morphology. The spleen homogenate was made for determining the activities of MPO and membrane pumping. RESULTS: Pathological sections of spleen showed that the different degree of congestion was found and spleen trabecula was increased in two model groups at multiple-time points. The MPO activity of spleen homogenate in HgCl_2 group and glycerinum group at all time points were obviously higher than that in control group, and at 24 h, the MPO activitie in two model groups was significantly increased than that in the same group at 12 h and 48 h. The activities of Na~+-K~+-ATPase, Ca~(2+)-ATPase, Mg~(2+)-ATPase, Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)-ATPase of spleen homogenate in two model groups at multiple time points were significantly lower than those in control group. Following ARF development, the ATPase activitie in two model groups at 48 h was lower than that at 12 h except the Mg~(2+)-ATPase in glycerinum group. CONCLUSION: Spleen as an immune organ has histological damage, arrest of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and dysfunction of membrane pump during the development of ARF in rabbits, leading to immune disorders.