In vivo barium microangiography in the mouse

Barium microangiography is an accepted method for study of the microcirculation. Nonetheless, no method has been previously described for use in mouse models of renal microangiopathy. Using a midline abdominal approach on each of seven anesthetized A/J mice, we inserted a No. 27 lymphangiogram needle into the infrarenal aorta. Using a Harvard pump, the animals were perfused first with 20 ml of 1% glutaraldehyde, then 20 ml of 10% barium sulfate suspension, at 150 mmHg constant pressure. Kidney sections were radiographed onto high-resolution glass plates. Photomicrographs of these images were then enlarged to 5 x 7-inch prints, from which we derived our observations. We observed the normal branching pattern of the renal microcirculation. Mean interlobular artery diameter was 31.89 +/- 2.12 micron SD. Afferent arterioles tapered to a mean preglomerular diameter of 13.55 +/- 1.64 micron. Mean glomerular area was measured to be 2945 +/- 233 sq micron. We have developed a method of renal barium microangiography in the mouse. Desirable features of the technique include its performance on living animals and resolution sufficient to permit objective measurements of microvascular structures.