Reestablishment of function in transplanted kidneys

Abstract

Both kidneys, the left suprarenal gland, their vessels, their nerves and ganglia, the corresponding segments of the aorta and vena cava, the peritoneum, the ureters and a part of the bladder were removed in one mass from a female cat and transplanted in another female cat whose normal kidneys had been extirpated. The circulation was reestablished through the new kidneys and the flap of bladder sutured to an opening in the bladder of the host.

After this operation, the animal remained in excellent condition. She walked and played like a normal young cat. She was drinking milk and eating a great deal of raw meat. She grew very fat and enjoyed good health. She urinated abundantly—from about 60 c.c. to 255 c.c. per 24 hours. The density of the urine was very changeable, generally from 1.015 to 1.035. Urea was abundant owing to the large amount of meat digested by the animal, and amounted to from 2.7 grams to 5.1 grams per 100 c.c. During the first few days, the urine was a little bloody. The amount of albumin found was 0.50 gram and 0.25 gram for 1000 c.c. on two different occasions. It disappeared from the urine eight days after the operation. On the thirteenth day, albumin was found again, and increased progressively from traces to 1.5 grams and more per liter. Progressive enlargement of both kidneys was observed. Thirty days after the operation, the animal became suddenly ill, and died on the thirty first day. Macrocopical examization : enlargement of both kidneys due apparently to a compression of the renal veins by a large organized clot infiltrating the subperitoneal and perivenous connective tissue between the kidneys. Macrocopical examization: slight acute diffuse nephritis and dilation of the blood vessels diffuse nephritis and dilation of the blood vessels.