Radial glomerular count- An assessment of human nephrogenesis

Abstract

Introduction: The important reason for progression of various glomerulopathies is variable Radial glomerular count [RGC]. There are few studies on the radial glomerular count. Therefore, we conduct this study, with an aim to contribute the knowledge of the human developing kidney by counting radial glomerular number. Materials and Methods: Thirty normal human fetuses of midgestational period [14 to 28 weeks] were selected for the study. The fetus should not have any congenital anomaly. The fetal kidney tissue slides were prepared and stained in hematoxylin and eosin. Then numbers of glomerular generations were counted and correlate the data with the different gestational groups. Results: The results showed that the average RGC is gradually increasing from 4 to 15 counts in mid gestational age. The results suggest significant statistical correlation between the period of gestation and the number of glomerular generations (Correlation coefficient value R2= 0.99). The fetal kidney weight and the number of glomerular generations in respective gestational age also shows definite statistical correlations. Conclusion: The present study concluded that gradually increasing average RGC can express human fetal kidney growth in intrauterine life. The histomorphologic assessment of RGC can be used as relatively better method of estimating gestational age. The observed growth tendencies of fetal glomerulus in human fetal life by RGC could be useful to assess the kidney maturity in the future. Keywords: Glomerulopathies, RGC.