Transmission and scanning electron microscopy investigations on the structure of the ultrafilter of glomeruli in human acute renal failure.

In 4 cases of human acute renal failure (ARF) with oligo-anuria, normuria and polyuria the following findings were made. (1) The diameter of endothelial cell fenestrae is on average larger than that of the control values, but not significantly. (2) In ARF the ratio of the endothelial cell fenestral area to the total endothelial area is not significantly lower than in control kidneys. (3) In ARF the average density of fenestrae per unit of area is not significantly lower than in control kidneys. (4) The structure of the podocytes does not differ from that of control kidneys.