Unilateral nephrectomy in the rat as a teaching model of renal function

The white rat offers a valuable teaching model to demonstrate the in situ anatomy, homeostatic control, and function of the mammalian renal system. Students in the upper-level physiology class at Dickinson College are responsible for formulating a set of testable hypotheses as to the possible compensatory mechanisms that will result from a unilateral nephrectomy in the rat. To test their hypotheses, each group of students is made responsible for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, removal of the left kidney, closure, and recovery of the animal in their experiment. Before and 1 wk after nephrectomy, blood samples are collected via tail section for measurement of hematocrit and plasma creatinine concentrations. Pooling data across all student groups (n = 6) for pre- and postnephrectomy hematocrit and creatinine values allows students to run statistical comparisons testing their hypotheses. This laboratory experience in integrative physiology is a successful exercise in introducing fundamentals of experimental design and, most importantly, provides students with an appreciation for the process of humane use of animals in research and teaching.