Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Dissection of Pelvic Autonomic Ganglia and Associated Nerves in Male and Female Rats
Published on: March 7, 2020
Morphometric and Functional Evaluation of Nonrenal Vasculature in Female and Male PKD/Mhm (Cy/+) Rats
Baoer Liu1,2, Ming Ma1, Patricia Kraft1
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Insights
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) significantly impacts male rats, causing aortic dysfunction and structural changes. Female rats with PKD showed no significant vascular abnormalities, indicating a sex-specific effect in this animal model.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Nephrology
- Genetics
Background:
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder causing kidney enlargement due to cyst formation.
- Autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) patients can develop vascular abnormalities alongside cystic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ADPKD on aortic morphometry and function in female and male PKD rats.
- To determine if sex influences the vascular complications associated with PKD.
Main Methods:
- Thoracic aortic rings were obtained from six-month-old female and male PKD rats and age-matched controls.
- Vascular function was assessed ex vivo using organ baths, evaluating endothelial-dependent and independent responses.
- Renal function biomarkers and aortic histology were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Male PKD rats exhibited elevated serum creatinine compared to controls and female PKD rats.
- Endothelial dysfunction, reduced smooth muscle contraction, and increased aortic wall thickness were observed in male PKD rats.
- These vascular and morphometric changes were not observed in female PKD rats.
Conclusions:
- Six-month-old male rats with PKD display significant endothelial dysfunction, impaired smooth muscle function, and pathological aortic remodeling.
- Female rats with PKD did not show these vascular complications, suggesting a sex-specific effect.
- These findings provide a valuable animal model for studying vascular complications in ADPKD, particularly in males.
Introduction:
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by renal enlargement due to cyst formation. Besides cystic complications, patients with autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) can develop vascular abnormalities. We investigated the impact of ADPKD on aortic morphometry and function in female and male PKD rats.
Methods:
Thoracic aortic rings were obtained from six-month-old female (n = 10; 307 ± 4 g) and male (n = 10; 470 ± 24 g) PKD/Mhm (Cy/+) rats, as well as age-matched control female (n = 9; 312 ± 6 g) and control male (+/+) (n = 13; 460 ± 14 g) rats. Vascular function was evaluated ex vivo using organ baths. Biomarkers of renal function were evaluated, and histology was performed.
Results:
PKD female and PKD male rats showed elevated serum creatinine levels compared to their respective controls (PKD female: 50.0 ± 1.7 μmol/L vs. control female: 43.9 ± 2.1 μmol/L; PKD male: 178.7 ± 21.0 μmol/L vs. control male: 40.4 ± 1.3 μmol/L, p < 0.05), and these levels were found to be higher in the PKD males than in the PKD females (p < 0.0001). Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by reduced maximum relaxation to acetylcholine, was observed in the PKD males compared to control males (55 ± 2% vs. 77 ± 1%, p < 0.05). Additionally, contractile responses to phenylephrine and high potassium were decreased in PKD male compared to control male. Morphometric analysis revealed increased wall thickness, wall cross-sectional area normalized to body weight, and wall:lumen area ratio in PKD male aortas compared to control male. Additionally, PKD male showed increased cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 immunoreactivity compared to control males. All these parameters were unchanged in PKD females compared to control females.
Conclusion:
Six-month-old male rats with PKD, but not females, display endothelial dysfunction, impaired smooth muscle contraction/relaxation, pathological changes in aortic morphometry, and increased apoptosis, providing a model for studying vascular complications in ADPKD.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
01:23Infertility in Males
01:28Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
01:15External Female Genitals
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
02:19The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....