Inhibition of compensatory renal growth by ureterocaval fistula

Abstract

Compensatory renal growth is studied in dogs with an autotransplanted kidney and a ureterocaval fistula. The weight of the kidney at the time of transplantation is used to estimate the initial weight of the contralateral kidney. A significant decrease in compensatory renal growth is observed, judged by comparison of the renal weight change in the experimental group to that in a control group of dogs with unilateral nephrectomies. The roles of excretory work and total renal mass as stimuli for renal hypertrophy are discussed. The results of this experiment indicate that decreased total renal mass may be more important than increased excretory work in the control of renal growth. Evidence is cited showing that there may be a humoral renotropic substance or substances operating through a feedback system and accounting for compensatory renal growth.