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The renotrophic factor, a persistent stimulus that crosses the placenta in mice
1Department of Nephrology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
The Journal of Physiology
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Maternal kidney removal in mice stimulates fetal kidney growth, increasing kidney weight, protein, and glomeruli number. This renotrophic effect crosses the placenta, impacting offspring development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Renal Physiology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Maternal physiological changes can impact fetal development.
- The kidney's capacity for growth and adaptation is a key area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maternal uninephrectomy on fetal kidney development in mice.
- To determine if renotrophic factors cross the placenta and influence fetal renal growth.
Main Methods:
- Female mice underwent right nephrectomy or sham operation, followed by multiple pregnancies.
- Renal parameters, including kidney weight, water, protein content, and morphometry, were assessed in offspring.
Main Results:
- Offspring from nephrectomized mothers exhibited significantly increased fractional kidney weight and dry kidney weight.
- The number of glomeruli and cells per glomerulus were significantly greater in the experimental group.
- These effects were consistent across multiple pregnancies, indicating a sustained maternal influence.
Conclusions:
- Renotrophic factors are transferred across the placenta from mother to fetus.
- Maternal uninephrectomy leads to sustained fetal kidney growth, characterized by increased renal mass and glomerular development.
- Fetal kidney development is responsive to enhanced maternal renotrophic stimulation.