Abstract
The number of functional nephrons in hypertrophied kidneys was determined in adult non diuretic rats which had been uni-nephrectomized either before 45 days (NY) or after 90 days (NO). This number was calculated by dividing the whole kidney GFR by the single nephron GFR, measured either by micropuncture or the14C-ferrocyanide infusion technique. Kidney weight was greater in NY rats (1.48±0.08 g SE) than in NO rats (1.23±0.10). In micropuncture experiments on NO rats the number of nephrones (34300±1600) was similar to that of normal adult rats. In NY rats this number was significantly greater (44100±1800,P<0.001). The ferrocyanide technique gave similar results (NO rats: 34800±2100; NY rats: 43900±3600) and indicated that the ratio of superficial to juxtamedullary SNGFR was not altered in the hypertrophied kidneys. The length of microdissected proximal tubules was increased in hypertrophied kidneys of both NY and NO rats and this increase affected thepars recta andpars convoluta equally. Single nephron GFR and F/P Inulin in late proximal and early distal tubules were similar in NO and NY rats. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that when uni-nephrectomy is performed on young rats, the compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney is the result of an increase in both the size and the number of nephrons.
Published Version
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