Abstract
The question of whether new nephrons are formed during postnatal renal development continues to be actively debated, but remains unresolved. Guinea pigs were uninephrectomized (N) or sham-operated (S) at birth or at 12 wks of age. 3 wks later, NG was determined by counting India ink (I)-containing glomeruli in acid digests of kidneys after in vivo arterial perfusion with I. Additional glomeruli not identified with I were revealed by Camco (C) counterstaining. The percent of NG(I) in the inner compared with outer cortex did not differ in 3 wk S and N groups.
Conclusions: At least 12% of glomeruli are not identifiable by I in the first 3 wks of life, while 98% contain detectable I in adulthood. An apparent increase in NG during maturation may therefore result from altered perfusion in a subpopulation of glomeruli rather than from de novo formation of nephrons, and takes place throughout the cortex. This process is accelerated by N in early development, but is unaffected by N in adulthood.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chevalier, R., Kelly, T. 1489 APPARENT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF GLOMERULI (NG) DURING NORMAL AND COMPENSATORY RENAL GROWTH. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 691 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01518
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01518