Abstract
Background: Having established a glomerular number deficit in fetal growth retardation(1), human fetal kidneys were studied with the aim of determining periods of specific vulnerability related to proliferative activity.
Materials and Methods: 24 Fetus, evenly distributed between 13 and 22 weeks gestational age were used. Tissue was routinely fixed and embedded. Monoclonal antibodies (DAKO, PC10, MIB-1) were used (2,3) to separately assess proliferation of renal blastema, stroma and glomeruli and epithelial components such as tubuli, Henle's loops and collecting ducts.
Results, Discussion: Proliferative activity remains high in the epithelial components of the nephrogenic zone, with glomerular and blastematous tissue showing reduced activity after week 18. A period of significantly increased activity for collecting ducts, thick and thin segements of Henle's loops and stroma was found between weeks 16 and 18 for both cortex and medulla.
Conclusion: Proliferation related vulnerability of glomerulogenesis is not limited to a specific period of intrauterine development in contrast to the development of the remainder of the nephrons, which may be especially vulnerable between 16 and 18 weeks of gestation.
Ref.: 1: Br J Obst Gynaecol 1992; 99:296-301, 2. J Pathel 1990; 162 : 285-294, 3. J Pathol 1992; 168:357-363
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Khine, M., Sibbons, P., Howard, C. et al. GESTATIQNAL AGE DEPENDENCE OF REGIONAL PROLIFERATION IN FETAL KIDNEYS AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY. Pediatr Res 35, 269 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00086
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00086