Compensatory cell proliferation in the kidney after unilateral nephrectomy in mice

The compensatory cell proliferation in kidney cortex after unilateral nephrectomy in hair-less mice was evaluated by registration of the mitotic rate, thymidine incorporation into DNA, and labelling indices (LI) over a period of 120 h after surgery. Maximal specific activity of DNA and LI were found at 30-36 h postoperatively and preceded the maximal mitotic rate by 6-12 h. The influence of age, sex and diurnal variations was examined.