Renal microvasculature of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri: scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts of glomeruli

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts of blood vessels permits detailed and accurate study of the microcirculation. The present study examined the renal microvasculature of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. The conventional picture of a glomerulus with one afferent arteriole was common, but glomeruli were often supplied by two afferent arterioles. In the majority of these, the intrarenal artery gave rise to a single afferent arteriole that branched to form two smaller vessels before reaching the glomerulus. Glomeruli with two afferent arterioles that arose independently from the intrarenal artery also occurred. The majority of glomeruli had a single efferent arteriole, but a proportion of glomeruli had two efferent arterioles. Efferent arterioles were smaller in diameter than the afferent arterioles. The glomerular capillaries were arranged in lobules, with few anastomoses between lobules, so that, for glomeruli with two afferent or two efferent arterioles, vascular perfusion and thus filtration within discrete lobules is probable.