Chronic hydronephrosis: renographic drainage patterns and renal morphology in an animal model

Chronic partial urethral obstruction in female rats: description of an experimental model and initial results

PURPOSE

To develop an experimental model of infravesical urinary obstruction in female rats.

METHODS

After median caudal laparotomy, the urethra of 14 female rats was delicately separated from the vagina and loosely wrapped with cellophane tape measuring 0.4 x 1.0 cm. The animals were evaluated 4 (n=7) and 8 (n=7) weeks later. Five additional control animals were only subjected to separation of the urethra and vagina and monitored for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

After four weeks, three rats presented vesical dilation associated with discrete ureteral ectasis in 2 animals, with the third presenting discrete hydronephrosis in one kidney. After eight weeks, five rats (71.4%) presented vesical distension with bilateral ureterohydronephrosis. No significant changes (p>0.05) in serum urea or creatinine occurred in any group compared to preoperative values.

CONCLUSION

We present here an inexpensive and simple method for the slow induction of urethral obstruction in adult female rats, with the development of progressive vesical hypertrophy and ureterohydronephrosis, which may be used as an experimental model for the study of different aspects of obstructive nephropathy.

Establishment of an animal model of reversible chronic partial obstructive hydronephrosis

The establishment of an animal model of reversible chronic partial obstruction hydronephrosis was reported. The continuous ultrasonographic and pathological investigation demonstrated that this model fulfilled all the requirements, especially the reversibility. The technique is a relatively simple and reliable method.