[Comparative angioarchitectonics of the kidneys of several rodents].

Studies have been made on kidney angioarchitectonics in 3 rodent species (allied taxonomically, but significantly different in their habitat) - the albino rat, the gerbil Meriones erythrourus and the aquatic rodent must-rat Ondatra zibetica - after the injection of the vessels with India ink and subsequent microphotometric analysis of unstained sections. The general pattern of vascular system of the kideny is similar in all the species studied. However, significant differences were found in vascularisation of the cortex and especially of the outer and inner medulla. In M. erythrourus, vascularisation of the papilla is approximately 2 1/2 times more intense than that of the cortex; large vascular bundles in the outer medulla are separated from both interbundle plexus and vascular system of the papilla; the glomeruli differ in their size; arterial sphincters are more numerous in the cortex. In O. zibetica, vascularisation of the papilla is somewhat 3 times less intense as compared to that of the cortex; medullar bundles are diffuse; the structure of the glomeruli is more uniform. With respect to its kidney angioarchitectonics, the albino rat occupies intermediate position. The observed differences are discussed in relation to ecological specialization of the species studied, indicating the important role of vascular system of the kidney in the formation of concentrating capacity of the latter.