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Kidney, Renal Tubule - Cytoplasmic Alteration

Image of renal tubule cytoplasmic vacuoles (normal) in the kidney from a male B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study
Kidney, Renal tubule - Normal in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. Numerous clear cytoplasmic vacuoles are present in renal tubule cells.
Figure 1 of 2
Image of cytoplasmic alteration in the kidney from a male B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study
Kidney, Renal tubule - Cytoplasmic alteration in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. A decrease in the normal cytoplasmic vacuoles is evident in this treated male mouse.
Figure 2 of 2
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comment:

Variable cytoplasmic vacuolation in outer cortical tubules of certain strains of male mice is a normal finding ( Figure 1image opens in a pop-up window ). They are thought to represent autophagic vacuoles associated with the normal degeneration of these cells. Some chemicals may decrease the number of vacuoles in the renal tubular epithelium ( Figure 2image opens in a pop-up window ).

recommendation:

Cytoplasmic vacuolation that is present as a normal background finding in male mice does not have to be diagnosed. If a decrease in cytoplasmic vacuoles is seen following treatment in male mice (compared with controls), then this finding should be diagnosed as "cytoplasmic alteration" and given a severity grade.

references:

Ormos J, Sztriha L, Bóti ZS, Kuthy E. 1975. Electron microscopic and cytochemical study of the vacuoles of regenerating renal tubular cells. Br J Exp Pathol 55:477-483.
Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2072774/

Seely JC. 1999. Kidney. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 207-234.
Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm