Blood supply to the amphibian mesonephros

The purpose of the present study was to describe geometry of branching, topography and sources of blood vessels supplying the mesonephros of three different species of amphibia and to infere from the results their common and species-specific features. The detailed information on arrangement of portal and arterial blood supply to mesonephros is necessary for better understanding of the conditions under which these kidneys function. For this reason the blood vessels of the mesonephros of adult Hynobius Keyserlingi, Triturus vulgaris and Rana temporaria were injected with stained gelatin. The urodelian kidneys were shown to be supplied by numerous segmental arteries. Three types of arterial supply to glomeruli were distinguished: those mediated by short, medium and long branches, which create different physical conditions for the glomerular filtration in pertinent nephrons--as the blood pressure necessarily decreases with the increasing distance from the aorta. The tributaries to the renal portal vein were identified in all three species as the veins draining hind limbs, tail, pelvis and body wall. It is being suggested that the purpose of this large drainage area is to secure a sufficient volume of blood to the peritubular network.