Renal vascular changes in hydronephrosis in rats: scanning electron microscopy of resin casts of glomerular capillaries.

Vascular changes in the hydronephrotic glomeruli of rats were examined using corrosion casts, India ink injection and histological methods. In severe cases, the diameter of the glomerular capillary conglomerations decreased to 40-90 microns as a result of glomerular atrophy. The capillaries of these glomeruli also had reduced diameters, and were strangulated and torn off to varying degrees. The intact capillary network of the renal medulla was destroyed and the normal alignment of capillaries parallel to the tubules was lost. These morphological characteristics may account in part for the difficulty in glomerular capillary blood circulation.