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Morphometric index of the developing murine kidney
Author(s) -
Cebrián Cristina,
Borodo Karolina,
Charles Nikki,
Herzlinger Doris A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20143
Subject(s) - biology , index (typography) , kidney , computational biology , genetics , computer science , world wide web
Mammalian kidney morphogenesis begins when the ureteric bud (UB) induces surrounding metanephric mesenchyme to differentiate into nephrons, the functional units of the mature organ. Although several genes required for this process have been identified, the mechanisms that control final nephron number and the localization of distinct tubular segments to cortical and medullary zones of the kidney remain poorly understood. This finding is due, in part, to the lack of quantitative studies describing the acquisition of mature renal structure. We have analyzed the following parameters of the developing murine kidney throughout embryogenesis: nephron and UB tip number, distance between UB branch points and total kidney, and cortical and medullary volume. Results of this morphometric analysis reveal previously unrecognized changes in the pattern of UB growth and rate of nephrogenesis. In addition, this morphometric index provides a much‐needed reference for accurately describing renal paterning defects exhibited by genetically altered mice. Developmental Dynamics 231:601–608, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.