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The renal nerves in the newborn rat

  • Renal Nerves
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Abstract

Immunocytochemical methods were used to investigate the distribution of afferent [calcitonin gene-related peptide-(CGRP) immunoreactive and substance P-immunoreactive] nerves and efferent (neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive and dopamine β-hydroxylase-immunoreactive) nerves in the kidneys of rats within the 1st day of life. The newborn rat kidney possesses an afferent and efferent innervation. Both afferent and efferent nerves reach the kidney in the same bundles. The afferent sensory fibers predominate overwhelmingly in the renal pelvis and ureter while the efferent fibers clearly predominate in the vasculature. The corticomedullary connective tissue contains both types of innervation with a more prominent afferent innervation (CGRP immunoreactive). Only afferent arterioles of perihilar nephrons were innervated by efferent sympathetic fibers. The distribution and extent of afferent and efferent innervation is consistent with the renal nerves playing a significant role in the transition from fetal to newborn life. The close proximity between afferent and efferent fibers suggests a possible interaction between the two systems.

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  1. Department of Pathology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, 90509, Torrance, CA, USA

    Luciano Barajas & Li Liu

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  1. Luciano Barajas
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  2. Li Liu
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Barajas, L., Liu, L. The renal nerves in the newborn rat. Pediatr Nephrol 7, 657–666 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00852575

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00852575

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