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Kidney of elephants
1Department of Nephrology, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
The Anatomical Record
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Elephant kidneys have a unique structure with approximately 15 million glomeruli, lacking dorsoventral symmetry. Their anatomy suggests a moderate urine concentrating ability, similar to manatees.
Area of Science:
- Comparative anatomy
- Mammalian renal physiology
- Elephantid biology
Background:
- Elephants, as an isolated mammalian order, possess kidneys requiring detailed anatomical study.
- Previous investigations have not included detailed portrayals of elephant kidney anatomy, such as pyelograms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive anatomical description of the elephant kidney.
- To investigate the structural basis for renal function in elephants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pyelography and vascular injections with acrylic emulsions.
- Performed dissections under fiberoptic illumination with microscopic examination and measurements.
- Conducted glomerular counts via tissue maceration and cortical fraction analysis.
Main Results:
- Elephant kidneys lack dorsoventral symmetry, featuring 8 +/- 2 lobes with interlobar septa.
- The renal pelvis bifurcates into infundibula supplying each lobe; vascular and nervous structures accompany these.
- Approximately 15 million glomeruli per kidney were counted, with glomerular mass comprising 4.9% of renal parenchyma.
Conclusions:
- Elephant kidneys exhibit structural features suggesting only moderate urine concentrating capacity.
- The renal anatomy shows similarities to manatees but differs from dugongs.