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Updated: May 28, 2026

Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
Published on: May 22, 2019
Association Analysis of the AGTR2:rs1403543 Polymorphism with Newborn Kidney Size
Karol Miler1, Iwona Gorący1, Beata Łoniewska2
1Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
Background:
The correlation between renal volume (or mass) and nephron number in newborns allows the use of the total kidney volume (TKV) at birth as a surrogate for congenital nephron number. Previously, the wide variation in final nephron number (termed "nephron endowment") has been attributed to polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in glomerulogenesis, including key genetic variants in the renin-angiotensin system. However, there are no data concerning the role of polymorphism in the gene encoding type-2 angiotensin II receptor (AGTR2) in the modulation of nephron endowment in humans. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze the possible association between AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism and kidney volume in Polish full-term healthy newborns.
Methods:
The study group consisted of 208 healthy, Polish, full-term newborns born to healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. The AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP in genomic DNA extracted from cord blood leukocytes. Kidney volume was measured sonographically. Total kidney volume was calculated as the sum of left and right kidneys, and normalized for body mass (BM), body length (BL), or body surface area (BSA).
Results:
There were no significant differences in TKV/BM, TKV/BL, or TKV/BSA between male and female newborns, as well as in regard to the AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism.
Conclusions:
The results suggest a lack of association between the AGTR2:rs1403543 polymorphism and physiological variability in kidney volume in full-term newborns.
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