Age-associated changes in the kidney of the laboratory mouse

This paper describes a qualitative and quantitative morphological investigation of the kidneys of male laboratory mice without macroscopic pathology at 6, 12, 24 and 34 months of age. In the 6- and 12-month old adults there were no signs of microscopic pathological changes in either the kidney cortex or medulla. However, at 24 and 34 months of age minor pathology, such as focal interstitial inflammation, was detected. In both these age groups there were a few glomeruli with sclerotic changes. There were no significant differences in the total volume of the kidneys, cortex, medulla or other structures with age. There was a significant increase in the diameter of the glomeruli with age but no change in the total numbers of glomeruli. The increase in volume of the glomerulus appears to be due to cellular components rather than changes in the blood vessels. It is concluded that in animals without macroscopic pathological changes there are only minor alterations in kidney structure with age, and that any alterations which do take place occur very late in the life span.