Compensatory Renal Hypertrophy in Dogs: Single Nephron Glomerular Filtration Rate

Sodium ferrocyanide was used to measure the intrarenal distribution of single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) in remaining kidneys of dogs, 10 d after contralateral nephrectomy. It was first demonstrated that the renal function of both kidneys in situ was comparable. Following right nephrectomy, the urine volume, p-aminohippuric acid clearance, creatine clearance, osmolar clearance, fractional excretion of potassium, and sodium excretion of the left kidney increased. Fractional excretion of sodium, free water clearance, and filtration fraction remained unchanged. Following that 10-d period, left kidney weight exceeded that of the previously removed contralateral kidney by 50%, indicating that most of the compensatory hypertrophy had already occurred. No significant difference in the length of the proximal tubule nor in the diameter of the glomeruli of superficial (SUP) and juxtamedullary (JM) nephrons of either kidney could be demonstrated. Most importantly, the ratio of radioactivity in the SUP/JM nephrons of the residual kidney was comparable with that previously observed in normal dog kidneys. Thus, the increase in total kidney GFR is explained through a proportional increase in the SNGFR of the SUP and JM nephrons.