Comparative Morphology of the Juxtaglomerular Apparatus (JGA)

Abstract

The structure of the JGA is different among the classes of vertebrates (Table 2.1). In order to obtain a general model for the function of the JGA, phylogenetic studies are indispensable. Since studies of this apparatus have been generated by clinical interests, most investigations have been carried out in mammals (see Persson and Boberg 1988; Taugner and Hackenthal 1989 for books); studies of the nonmammalian JGA are rather limited. However, some excellent reviews of the comparative anatomy of the apparatus have been published by Sokabe et al, (1969), Capelli et al. (l970), Ogawa et al. (1972), Sokabe and Ogawa (1974), Ogawa (1977), and Nishimura (1980a,b, 1985). Although these reviews were written some 20 years ago and are now classical, they are still useful. Recently, Henderson and Deacon (1993) described the phylogeny and comparative physiology of the renin-angiotensin system.