The three-dimensional structure of the neonatal mouse kidney as revealed by scanning electron microscopy after KOH treatment

Citation
N. Iino et al., The three-dimensional structure of the neonatal mouse kidney as revealed by scanning electron microscopy after KOH treatment, MA MA SY SE, 7, 2001, pp. 415-421
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Current Book Contents
Volume
7
Year of publication
2001
Pages
415 - 421
Database
ISI
SICI code
Abstract
The shape and arrangement of the developing nephrons were studied three-dim ensionally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the neonatal mouse kidn ey. The specimens were treated with the KOH digestion method in order to re move extracellular connective tissue components, thus enabling the direct o bservation of the developing nephrons at various stages. At the subcapsular region of the renal cortex, the ureteric ducts were observed as branched t ubules with terminal swellings or ampullae. Newly formed blood vessels were often associated with terminals of these ureteric ducts. The cup-shaped re nal corpuscles had aggregations of mesangial cells with blood vessels in th e groove. At the vascular pole of mature nephrons, extraglomerular mesangia l cells were observed as a cellular sheet, which was continuous with the sm ooth muscle layer of afferent and efferent blood vessels. The present study also demonstrated the shape of the immature podocytes in relation to the e ndothelial morphology of glomerular capillaries.