[Electron microscopic study on the angioarchitecture of glomeruli in experimental toxemia of pregnant rabbits]

The present paper reports studies on the change in the angioarchitecture of the glomeruli in induced hypertensive pregnancy in rabbits. Experimental toxemia of pregnancy in late pregnancy in rabbits was induced by constriction of the aorta below the renal arteries, followed by estradiol administration. The results are as follows: 1) Constriction of the aorta in the pregnant rabbits on the 21st day of gestation significantly elevated the blood pressure and resulted in intrauterine growth retardation in 88.9% of the living fetuses. 2) When the pregnant rabbits underwent constriction of the aorta and estradiol treatment, all the fetuses were in a state of intra-uterine death. 3) The transmission electron microscopic findings of the glomeruli revealed swelling of endothelial cells with vacuolization and vacuolated mesangial cells. 4) The angioarchitecture of the glomeruli was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The enlargement of the endothelial cells was found to reduce the size of cavities of vessels.