[Transplantation of the kidneys from newborn donors, using the Mini-Lewe minipig as a model]

The importance of kidneys from newborn donors in transplantation has not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of morphological and functional adaptation of the newborn kidney in an adult recipient. 7 MLS-matched kidneys from Lewe minipig puppies (age: 3-4 weeks) had been transplanted en bloc to their mothers with immediately bilateral nephrectomy. Preliminary results suggested that arterial vasculature and blood supply are the limiting factors in adaptation of newborn donor kidneys in adult recipients.