Glomerulotubular relationships in glomerulonephritis.

Clearance techniques were employed to examine glomerulotubular relationships in a model of chronic glomerulonephritis in the rat. Clearance ratios were found to be equal in both kidneys in the same animals, indicating that the nephron population was functioning in a homogeneous manner. Glucose titration curves were normal and this finding also indicates that glomerulotubular relationships were intact for the composite nephron population. In contrast to models of chronic renal disease with nonglomerular lesions, nephron filtration rate was reduced in these animals. However, the animals still exhibited a capacity to respond to contralateral nephrectomy by increasing filtration rate in the residual nephrons.