Pregnancy and severely reduced renal mass: A stress model showing renal hyperfiltration.

Pregnancy may increase signs of renovascular stress. We compared pregnant sham operated (S) and 5/6 nephrectomy (NX) rats to examine the effect of pregnancy on reduced nephron number. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), body weight (BW), food/water intake, serum creatinine (Cr), urinalyses were assessed weekly, and end pregnancy renal histology examined. NX showed decreased BW, elevated BP and Cr, and proteinuria. Histology revealed increased glomerular volume, increased tubular diameter and interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. This pilot shows that a pregnant 5/6th nephrectomy rat is a reliable model in which to evaluate renovascular stress with reduced nephrons.