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Morphometrical studies on perinatal development of glomerular components in rat
1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Agriculture, University of Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
Biology of the Neonate
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Rat glomerulus undergoes rapid perinatal development. Key growth phases, particularly in capillary length, prepare the kidney for function after birth.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Developmental Biology
- Renal Morphology
Background:
- The developing kidney's structure is crucial for postnatal function.
- Understanding glomerular development provides insights into renal maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess the morphometric changes in the rat glomerulus during the perinatal period.
- To identify critical developmental windows for glomerular growth and adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Morphometric analysis of rat glomeruli using point counting and intercept counting.
- Quantification of glomerular components: epithelial cells, capillary, mesangium, glomerular basement membrane, and Bowman's space.
- Measurement of glomerular basement membrane surface area and capillary length per unit volume.
Main Results:
- Bowman's space volume significantly decreased between gestational days 20 and 21, indicating rapid glomerular tuft growth.
- Glomerular capillary length per unit volume (Lv) and glomerular basement membrane surface area per unit volume increased from fetal day 20 to neonatal day 3.
- A notable increase in Lv occurred between fetal day 22 and neonatal day 1.
Conclusions:
- The rat glomerulus exhibits significant developmental changes in the late prenatal and early neonatal periods.
- Rapid increases in capillary length suggest adaptation for extrauterine function.
- These findings highlight a critical window for glomerular maturation essential for renal adaptation post-birth.