Investigation of histopathologic changes in the ureter walls in experimental congenital obstructive uropathy

Background/Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the histopathologic changes in the ureter wall in experimental urinary bladder hypoplasia and agenesis.

Methods

Timed pregnant rats were randomly divided and received intraperitoneal Adriamycin (ADR) at 2 mg/kg on gestational days (GD) 6 to 9 (ADR group) and saline at 2 mL/kg on GD 6 to 9 (SF group). The control (C) group did not receive any medication in their pregnancy. Fetuses were harvested near term on GD 21 and dissected under a dissecting microscope and examined for urinary system abnormalities.

Results

Diameter of ureter lumen was significantly increased, but wall thickness, tunica muscularis, and epithelial thickness of the ureter were decreased in the ADR group as compared with the C and SF groups.

Conclusions

Diameter of the ureter lumen was increased, but wall thickness, tunica muscularis, and uroepithelium of the ureter were decreased in the ADR group in the intrauterine period. The diameter of the ureter lumen and wall thickness of ureter (tunica muscularis of ureter and uroepithelium) were increased following obstructive uropathy after the birth.