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Review
. 2000 Mar-Apr;8(2):63-5.
doi: 10.1159/000020649.

The number of nephrons in the mammalian kidney: environmental influences play a determining role

M Lelièvre-Pégorier  1 , C Merlet-Bénichou
Affiliations
Review

The number of nephrons in the mammalian kidney: environmental influences play a determining role

M Lelièvre-Pégorier et al. Exp Nephrol. 2000 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Several lines of evidence, mostly derived from animal studies, indicate that changes in the fetal environment may affect the renal development. Fetal growth retardation is associated with a nephron deficit in both humans and animals. Changes in the supply of vitamin A to the fetus may be responsible for the variations in the number of nephrons in the human kidney. In utero exposure to hyperglycemia or drugs may also cause a nephron deficit.

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