Filtration characteristics of the single isolated perfused glomerulus of Myxine glutinosa.

Using an in vitro microperfusion technique, the filtration characteristics of single isolated glomeruli of the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) were investigated. The suitability of the method as a model to study glomerular function was evaluated. Experiments with a protein-free perfusate led to a filtration coefficient Kf (0.189 +/- 0.181 nl x s-1 x mm Hg-1) that was in the same order of magnitude as determined in vitro for other vertebrates. Morphometric analysis on serial thin sections (1 microns) revealed a glomerular capillary surface (A) of 1.84 +/- 0.72 mm2. A linear relationship between glomerular diameter and A allowed the calculation of the hydraulic conductivity Lp (0.618 +/- 0.384 microliter x s-1 x mmHg-1 x cm-2). The data indicate that the isolated perfused glomerulus of M. glutinosa has filtration characteristics similar to higher vertebrates. The glomeruli of M. glutinosa, which in contrast to glomeruli of other animals are easy to dissect, are a suitable model for the study of glomerular filtration and permeability characteristics of vertebrates. An example of a possible application of the model is a study into the effects of adrenaline on glomerular filtration characteristics. Adrenaline led to increases in ultrafiltration pressure (PUF), single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) and filtration fraction (FF); Kf remained unaffected.