Infraglomerular Epithelial Reflux as a Postmortem Phenomenon in the Kidneys of Dog and Rat

Abstract

The significance of postmortem renal changes for the pathogenesis of infraglomerular epithelial reflux (IER) was examined in a number of experiments with kidneys of the dog and rat. The reflux can develop after death in both species. Intravital circumstances (e.g., ischemia) may stimulate the postmortem development of IER. The development of IER was accompanied by swelling of tubular epithelial cells and could be provoked by palpation at autopsy. The type of fixative can also influence the degree of the phenomenon, which was more pronounced in ethanol-fixed than in formalin-fixed kidney. IER has to be considered primarily a postmortem phenomenon and a correct evaluation of IER is only possible if the postmortem treatment of the kidney be exactly known and, in appropriate investigations, has been very well standardized for control and experimental animals.